James J. Rhoades

Early Life:

James J. "Jim" Rhoades (R), born in 1941, in Waterbury, CT, son of Earl and Stella Krankowski; Mahanoy City High School, 1959; East Stroudsburg University (B.S.), 1964; Lehigh University (M.Ed.), 1966; graduate studies, Bloomsburg University, East Stroudsburg University; married Mary Edith Holland; 3 children.

Early Career:

Former teacher & coach, Pottsville High School., Mahanoy City High School; former principal, Mahanoy Area Jr. High School; member, Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), State Board of Education, Education Committee of States, Mining & Reclamation Advisory Board, Phi Delta Kappa, Lions Club, Order of Elks, Humane Fire Company #1, Schuylkill County Chapter National Football Foundation & Hall of Fame, Jerry Wolman Chapter Pa. Sports Hall of Fame, NRA, St. Canicus Chapter.

Pennsylvania Politics:

Elected to Pa. Senate 1980; chair, Education Committee, Special Committee on Interscholastic Athletics; co-chair, Coal Caucus; member, Appropriations, Transportation Commission, Aging & Youth, Environmental Resources & Energy Commission; served until his death on October 18, 2008.

Cited: Pennsylvania Manual, Biographies of Members of the Senate, pg. 3-20; Volume 114, December, 1999.