Dudley L. Wardlaw

Dudley Lee Wardlaw died peacefully on Thursday, July 28, 2016 after an extended illness. He was born August 27, 1929 in Kansas City, Missouri to Reverend Claude and Hazel Wardlaw. He attended school in both Kansas City and Little Rock, Arkansas, graduating from Little Rock High School and subsequently earned degrees from Little Rock Junior College and Southwestern at Memphis (now Rhodes College). Post graduate work was done at Indiana University/Purdue University in Indianapolis, Indiana. In 1953, Dudley was commissioned in the US Navy and served as a naval Cryptographic Communications Officer in Japan during the Korean War. His subsequent career had two distinct parts. The first was in purchasing and management for the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company in Orange, Texas, Pottstown, Pennsylvania and as a corporate buyer in Akron, Ohio. These positions lead to his appointment as Corporate Purchasing Manager for Inland Container Corporation in Indianapolis. The second part of his career was in general management. He became the General Manager of Inland’s Rexford Paper Company Division in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and later Plant General Manager of Inland’s corrugated box manufacturing plants in Middletown, Ohio and Dallas, Texas, retiring to Tyler Texas in 1991. Dudley was a Rotarian in Ohio and served on the Boy Scout board in Tyler. As a lifelong Presbyterian he faithfully served as deacon, elder, teacher and choir member over the years. His primary retirement activity had been golf. He organized and led the Senior Men’s Golf Association at Hollytree Country Club. This Senior Golf Association remains the premier organization of its type in East Texas. He was instrumental in starting a senior’s tournament, known as the Wardlaw Cup. This event is held annually at Hollytree Country Club. Dudley was blessed with a loving family, including his wife of 52 years, Juanita; brother, Don M. Wardlaw and wife Maybian of Little Rock, Arkansas; son Richard L. Wardlaw and wife Kathy of Charlestown, Indiana; daughters, Sharon Quillin and husband Delton, of Ruckersville, Virginia and Carol Dillard and husband Clifton, of Tyler, Texas. Grandchildren include Bill Wardlaw and wife Brittney of New Albany, Indiana, Cathy Lilly and husband Ted of Edmond, Oklahoma, the late Steven Dillard of Mesa, Arizona and six great grandchildren; Kaidyn and Keegan Wardlaw, Sarah and Adam Lilly and Jordan and Chloe Dillard. Dudley has been called home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and will be truly missed by his family and friends. It is with a heavy heart that we release him. “Well done good and faithful servant; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord”. A committal service with be held on Monday, August 1, 2016 at 1:00 PM at Rose Hill Mausoleum with a memorial service with Military Honors to follow at 2:00 PM at First Presbyterian Church in Tyler with Dr. Stuart Baskin officiating. A reception will follow in the fellowship hall. Memorials may be made to The Hospice of East Texas Foundation, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, Texas 75701 or the First Presbyterian Church, 230 W. Rusk St., Tyler, Texas 75701

Dudley L. Wardlaw

August 27, 1929 - July 28, 2016