Charles Roy Rhynes

Charles Roy Rhynes was a great husband and father with exemplary Naval service for his country. He was called to heaven on December 18, 2021 from Forsyth, Missouri at the age of 86.

He was born to Lee Rhynes and Bessie Privett on August 8, 1935 in Ava, Missouri. His started his military career in November 1952 with the United States Navy. Throughout his military service, he received the following medals and citations: Bronze Star with Combat/V, Navy Commendation Medal with V, Combat Action Ribbon, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnamese Armed Forces Honor Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Silver Star, Republic of Vietnamese Campaign, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, National Defense Medal (second award), Territory of Guam also presented him with the Governor’s Meritorious Service Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Citation, Good Conduct, National Defense, Korea Service, Vietnam Service, Veteran Honor Medal, United Nations, and many more. Charles was a very humble, decorated man. He retired as a Gunnery Mate 1st Class May 5, 1972.

After his military service, he attended the Missouri Highway Patrol Academy and served as a Greene County Deputy Sheriff. His love for the sea had him joining the Merchant Marines until he officially retired. He loved collecting stamps and coins.

Charles met and married To Ha (Lee) in Cholon, Vietnam on January 19, 1967. Together they had 2 children: Marica Lee Putman (Rhynes) and Gary Lee Rhynes (deceased.) Charles also had a daughter, Linda Lee McPhetridge, from a previous marriage.

He is survived by his wife To Ha (Lee) Rhynes, daughters Linda Lee McPhetridge and Marica Lee Putman and her husband Travis Putman, granddaughters Nico Lee Moser and husband Brian Moser and Alyssa Dawn Rhynes Putman, and great-grandsons Jordan McPhetridge, Reese Moser, and great-granddaughter Ashlyn Moser, his sister Katherine Coats, his nephews Butch Willis, Steve Willis, David Willis, Wayne Willis, and Edward Rhynes, his niece Marilyn Loveland and many more family members.

Preceded in death by his parents Lee Rhynes and Bessie Privett, his son Gary Lee Rhynes, his brother Oden H. Rhynes, his sisters Goldie Willis Nash and Reba Sellers, his nephews Dan Willis, Bill Rhynes, Jimmy Rhynes, and Douglas Rhynes, and his niece Alice Coats.

Kissee-Schofield-Eakins Funeral Home in Forsyth, Missouri is providing funeral services. Graveside services with Military Honors is scheduled for 1 pm at Evergreen Cemetery in Republic, Missouri. Charles will be buried next to his beloved son, Gary.