MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – The Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce expressed condolences to his family following the death of former longtime Mayor of Myrtle Beach, John Rhodes.

“We mourn former Mayor John Rhodes and offer our deepest condolences to his family and friends. Devoted to his family and town, Rhodes was a good friend of the Chamber and the business community.

In many ways, Rhodes was the father of sports tourism and the tourism development fee.

As Mayor, Rhodes directed the planning, design, construction and operation of the Myrtle Beach Sports Center. He was a driving force behind the renovations at Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium, which helped make it one of the best track facilities in our area.

He oversaw the redevelopment of what we now know as The Market Common. The Market Common is an upscale shopping and residential area and is also home to the Grand Park Athletic Complex.

Rhodes was equally proud of their efforts to build Savannah’s Playground at The Market Common, a playground for all abilities that welcomes all children and is recognized as one of the best adaptable playgrounds in the country.

He worked tirelessly with elected officials and tourism leaders in Myrtle Beach and lawmakers in Colombia to pass landmark Myrtle Beach tourism laws to invest in tourism and keep taxes low for Myrtle Beach residents.

During his three-term tenure as Mayor, the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk developed, a 1.3-mile project that helped encourage millions in private investments by the ocean in Myrtle Beach.

He was director of the Beach Ball Classic from 1981 until his death. The annual tournament is nationally recognized and brings teams from across the country to Myrtle Beach

in the winter months. He was also a pioneer in girls ‘basketball, setting up a girls’ tournament with former UNC women’s basketball coach Sylvia Hatchell.

John’s passion for his city and the sport was evident in every conversation, but the topic he loved to share most was his love and pride for his wonderful family. He always had a story about projects he and his wife Terri were involved in and shared pictures of his children and grandchildren. He will be missed very much. “

Karen Riordan, President and CEO of the Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce


Former longtime Mayor of Myrtle Beach John Rhodes dies of COVID-19

Rhodes died after fighting COVID-19. His death was announced on Sunday afternoon. Rhodes was Mayor of Myrtle Beach for 12 years and was first elected in 2005. He was also the executive director of the Beach Ball Classic basketball tournament.

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