James J. Rhoades
| James J. Rhoades | |
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| Member of the Pennsylvania Senate from the 29th district |
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In office January 5, 1981 – October 18, 2008 |
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| Preceded by | Joseph Gurzenda |
| Succeeded by | Dave Argall |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
James John Rhoades December 5, 1941 Waterbury, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Died | October 18, 2008 (aged 66) Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Mary Edith Holland |
| Children | Mike Rhoades (son) |
| Residence | Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania |
| Alma mater | Lehigh University, East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania |
| Profession | Educator, State Senator |
| Signature |  |
James John Rhoades (December 5, 1941 – October 18, 2008) was a Republican member of the Pennsylvania State Senate who represented the 29th District from 1980 until his death.
Rhoades graduated from East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania in 1963 with a bachelor's degree in education and was a member of Sigma Pi fraternity. He later earned a master's degree in education from Lehigh University in 1966. After graduation, Rhoades started as a teacher and football coach at the Pottsville and Mahanoy City High School.
After seven years of teaching, Rhoades was appointed as the principal of the Mahanoy Area Middle School. He served as principal for ten years before his election to the State Senate.
Rhoades died in the hospital on October 18, 2008, a day after being injured in an automobile accident near Brodheadsville, Pennsylvania, in Monroe County. He had been en route to a Pleasant Valley High School football game. His wife, Mary, was also injured in the crash. Thomas Senavitis was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence and causing the accident with a blood alcohol level of 0.355%, over 4 times the Pennsylvania state limit of 0.08%.
Rhoades was defeated for a seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1978. However, in 1980, he won a seat in the Pennsylvania State Senate, defeating Democratic incumbent Joseph Gurzenda.
As a former educator, Rhoades had an interest in education issues and ultimately became Chairman of the Senate Education Committee. As chairman of that committee, Rhoades had influence over almost all education related laws, including the Pennsylvania Safe Schools Act and the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program.
He also served on the Appropriations, Transportation, Law and Justice, and Environmental Resources and Energy committees.
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