A memorial service for lifelong Cambria rancher-farmer Wade “Scooter” Rhoades has been set for 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, at 5080 Santa Rosa Creek Road. A potluck reception is to follow. For details, call 440-1474.

Rhoades died suddenly of a heart attack Aug. 27 while maneuvering his tractor to fight a small brush fire on the ranch. Since his death, family and friends have been recalling how, in many ways, Rhoades had been the heart of his family and his community.

He was a man of few words, but those few made a big impact, as did his decades of steady, quiet volunteering for Little League and other causes. “He was the peaceful rock who brought calmness, sensibility and wisdom,” said sister in law Becky Rhoades. “He didn’t say a lot, but what he did, mattered. A lot of people have the ability to talk, but not many have the skill to listen.” Scooter Rhoades’ family and the ranch came first, but he also “loved to hunt, go to cattle sales and the game of baseball.”

Scooter Rhoades was born in 1953 to Rosalie and Sterling Rhoades. Their son is survived by wife Pamela Rhoades, son Justin (Krissy) and daughters Brittany and Carissa (her children are Tristan, Trey and Mia).

The family encourages those who would like to donate in his memory to do so to the charity of their choice, to the Benevolence Fund of his beloved Cambria Calvary Chapel or to Little League.

—Kathe Tanner