Major Kathy Rhodes Denkler, USAF (Ret.), age 64, passed away in Pensacola, FL, on Friday, April 29, 2022. She is preceded in death by her father, Chief Master Sergeant Leo B. Rhodes, USAF (Ret).

Born in Savannah, GA, Kathy began her life of adventures at U. S. Air Force Bases in Turkey, Colorado, Alaska, North Carolina, and Virginia. She was an alumnus of North Carolina State University, Class of 1980, and received her commission into the USAF via the Reserve Officers' Training Corps Program.

As an Intelligence and Space Operations Officer, Kathy was stationed at Bergstrom AFB, (TX), Osan Air Base, (Korea), Langley AFB, (VA), Buckley Space Force Base, (CO), and U. S. Atlantic Command, (VA).

Following her retirement, Kathy worked for The Boeing Company (Missile Defense Sector), Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (NAS Pensacola), the National Flight Academy, and the University of West Florida.

Kathy is survived by her loving and devoted husband, CAPT Mike Denkler, USN (Ret.); her mother, Anna L. Rhodes, of Apex NC; her brother, Richard A. Rhodes (Jennifer), of Apex NC; her two stepchildren, Jennifer Hoiler (Patrick), of Pomfret, MD, and Joshua Denkler, of Virginia Beach, VA.

A service to honor Kathy will be conducted at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 12, 2022, at Perdido Bay United Methodist Church, with Dr. David Saliba, officiating.  A committal service will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery with full military honors being accorded by the United States Air Force. Active pallbearers will be as follows; Lt Col Kimberly L. Purdon, USAF, Maj Katherine J. Hewlett, USAF, Capt Tina U. Cavazos, USAF, Capt Amanda C. Murray, USAF, Capt Ileana K. Pinerodiaz, USAF, 2d Lt Mia E. Chabanne USAF, 2d Lt Tyler J. Shiver, USAF.

A Celebration of Life gathering will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Friday, May 13, 2022, at the Pensacola Yacht Club.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Maria Toledo and the entire Neurology staff at Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital for their professionalism and the compassion shown to Kathy during her time there, and to Lt. Col. Mark Schwan, USMC (Ret.) for his selfless friendship and loyal support.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be made to any of the following causes: The Pace Center for Girls, 1028 Underwood Ave, Pensacola, FL 32504, The Pensacola Women's Alliance, P.O. BOX 12157, Pensacola, FL, 32591 or The National Flight Academy, 1 Fetterman Way, Pensacola, FL 32508.