Paul Allen Rhoads

February 28, 1949 – November 20, 2024

Paul Allen Rhoads of Leesburg, Florida, formerly of Geneva, Illinois, passed away on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at the University of Florida Health Leesburg Hospital. He was in the company of his brother-in-law, Brian Smith, and a good mutual friend, Dan Smith (no relation).

Paul as born in Chicago and raised in Geneva, Paul graduated from Geneva Community High School in 1967. He went on to earn a degree in Automotive Marketing from Northwood Institute in French Lick, Indiana, in 1971. He spent many years working for Aurora Lift Truck Service, owned by his brother, Fred Jr. He married Kathy Smith in 1987 in Door County, Wisconsin. After some years, Paul and Kathy moved to Florida where Paul started his own lift truck company.

During his years in Geneva, Paul devoted countless hours to the city via his leadership roles in the Civil Defense unit, which later became the Emergency Services and Disaster Agency (ESDA). His efforts not only improved Geneva's preparedness for a wide variety of disasters, but also guided and mentored numerous young members of the organization, many of whom went on to have lifelong careers in various public safety agencies.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Fred Sr. and Helen; his brother, Fred Jr., his sister-in-law Barbara, and his wife of 27 years, Kathy. He is survived by nephews Brent (Wendy) Rhoads of Woodstock, Illinois, and Brian Rhoads of Fort Mill, South Carolina; in-laws Brian (Paula) Smith of Elkhorn, Nebraska; and nephews Colin Smith of Auburn, Washington, Brendan Smith of Kansas City, Missouri, Alec Smith of Elkhorn, Nebraska, and Ian Smith of Elkhorn, Nebraska.

A memorial service is being planned in Geneva, Illinois in the Spring of 2025.  Arrangements entrusted with BALDWIN BROTHERS Funeral & Cremation Society-Spanish Springs 352-430-1449.  Sentiments are encouraged at www.baldwincremation.com .