Buford John Rhodes

Buford John “Jonco” RhodesAugust 26, 1940 – June 20, 2025

Buford John Rhodes, lovingly known to most as “Jonco,” passed away peacefully on June 20, 2025, at the age of 84. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend whose warm heart, sharp wit, and generous spirit touched everyone who knew him.

John was born on August 26, 1940, in Taft, California, to Vivian Hagler Rhodes and Buford Rhodes, Sr. He spent his early years helping on the family’s dairy farm in Oregon before his parents opened the Dutch Maid Laundry in Red Bluff, where John worked as a young man. Of great importance to him throughout his life was his childhood horse, Victor, a loyal companion he never forgot. He graduated from Red Bluff High School in 1958 and enlisted in the US Army Reserve in 1965, where he served as a Specialist SP-5 in roles that included cook and photographer. He was honorably discharged in 1969.

After his service, John pursued electrical trade school in Shasta, California. He worked with several firms, including Kutz, Hall, Thorpe Electrical Contractors, before founding his own business, Jonco Electric. As a self-employed electrical contractor, he served Northern California for over 35 years with integrity and pride. Among his proudest achievements was his early work on the construction of the Oroville Dam. He was a proud 50-year member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local Union 340, and a Chico Elks Lodge #423 member for over 50 years.

John married Claire Dalton in 1969, and together they had three children: Michael, Christine, and Kate Rhodes. After their divorce, he found a loving and lasting partnership with Kathleen Young, with whom he shared his life from 1989 until his passing. John gained three more children through this union: Steven Bunch, Rhonda Harvey, and Dana Del Carlo.

John had a wide range of hobbies and interests that made life with him endlessly entertaining. A lifelong car enthusiast, he loved dune buggy rides, camping in Lake Almanor, and taking meticulous care of his vehicles, especially his bright white truck that many in town recognized. He was a true car guy and owned several tricked-out classics over the years, including a 1964 Ford Ranchero with diamond-tufted upholstery, a 1965 Mustang, a 1969 Corvette, a Ford Galaxie, and more.

He was a master storyteller with a pun always ready and was known for sayings like “Buckaroo,” “Big Deal,” and his signature “Jonco wave.” He loved meeting his friends for early breakfasts at Jack’s Restaurant, where he could always be counted on for good conversation and a few laughs.

He was passionate about cooking and baking, especially his Dutch oven meals at camp and his prize-winning scones, which took top honors at the county fair. He made the best grilled cheese sandwiches, adored the movie Dirty Dancing, cheered for the San Francisco 49ers, and was a proud member of the Single Action Shooting Society. In his younger years, he enjoyed skiing, scuba diving, and was an accomplished skydiver with nearly 50 jumps under his belt. Quiet moments often found him reading a Louis L’Amour novel in the shade or watching a John Wayne movie. He also loved Star Trek and was a loyal viewer of the Weather Channel, especially the updates from the weather station he installed on his roof.

John took great pride in his garden, especially his tomatoes and Meyer lemons, which he tended with the same care and attention he gave to everything in life. Fastidious about cleanliness, he was famous for his starched jeans and beige wardrobe, always completed with a cowboy hat, boots, and a toolbelt that held a set of needle-nose pliers and a screwdriver—ready to lend a hand at a moment’s notice. His car was washed every Sunday without fail. At his core, John was a kind, helpful, and loving man, known for his unwavering support of his family and his deep loyalty to those he cared about.

John is survived by his wife, Kathleen Young; his sister, Barbara Rhodes Rush (Doug), and his brother, Steve Rhodes (Lindy); his children Michael Rhonek (Aisha), Christine Rhodes (Hollie), Kate Rhodes, Steven Bunch (Michelle), Rhonda Harvey (Robert), and Dana Del Carlo (Dan); and grandchildren Aislin Rhonek, Cora Rhodes, Lindsey Blaire, Braden Del Carlo, Colby Del Carlo, Dillon Bunch, and Ava Bunch. He was preceded in death by his mother, Vivian Hagler, his father, Buford Rhodes, and his grandson, Alex Newlin.

A graveside service will be held at Glen Oaks Memorial Park in Chico, California, on Monday, July 28, 2025, at 10:00 AM. All are welcome to attend and celebrate the life of a man whose stories, laughter, and love will be deeply missed but never forgotten.