Thomas "Tom" Rayford Rudd

Services for Thomas “Tom” Rayford Rudd, 80, of Tyler, will be held on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at 10:00 AM at Green Acres Baptist Church Chapel with Dr. David Dykes officiating. Burial will follow at Cathedral in the Pines Cemetery in Tyler under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Mr. Rudd passed away Monday, July 25, 2016 in Whitehouse. He was born December 17, 1935 in Tyler to Able Richard and Carra Lee Rayford Rudd. Tom was a member of Green Acres Baptist Church, where he attended Sunday school. He was a 32nd Degree Mason at Henry Marsh Bell Lodge; York Rite; Sharon Shrine Temple; a member of the Royal Order of Jesters, Court 168; a member of the Centurions; the Order of the Rose; Willow Brook Country Club; a Limited Partner of Hollytree Country Club, where he served on the Board of Directors. He was the first President of the Hollytree Homeowners Association. Tom was also a member of the Associated General Contractors of America. Tom was born in Tyler and attended Gary Elementary School, Hogg Junior High, Tyler High School and Tyler Junior College. He furthered his education at Texas A&I University, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering. After completing his studies Tom was employed by Howe Baker Engineering Company, where he assumed increasing responsibilities including postings in New Jersey and in the United Kingdom. Upon returning from Europe, Tom worked for Intech, a company manufacturing plastics and monofilament products. From there Tom formed Allmark Incorporated, specializing in the installation of traffic markers, later to become Striping Technologies Inc. Following a highly successful career, Tom retired to Lake Tyler, a place he deeply loved. Tom loved the outdoors, and big game hunting was a lifelong passion of his. He enjoyed sharing this passion for wildlife with his family and close friends, experiencing the pursuit of wild game on several safaris in Africa, and hunting expeditions across the United States, Mexico, Argentina, Europe and Canada. His love of African wildlife led him to become an early patron of a well-known African wildlife artist. Charitable works were TR’s way of giving back to the community, both in formal charitable events, and in individual acts of kindness to people where we saw a need, far too many to list. A regular participant in charitable auctions, Tom also supported the American Cancer Society, working with the Little Wranglers program as part of the ACS’ annual Cattle Baron’s Gala, the Shriner’s Hospitals for Children, the American Red Cross, the Sherriff’s Association of Texas, the Meals on Wheels Ministry, and many other charitable organizations. Tom was a World Traveler, both for business and pleasure. Among the many destinations that took him around the world, Tom visited the Middle East (Saudi Arabia, Iran, Syria and Egypt), the Mediterranean (Greece, Malta), Europe (France, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, the United Kingdom), Australia, North and South America (Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Canada) and most of United States. With all his travels though, his favorite place on the planet was Lake Tyler. The lake was a recurring feature in his life from his teenage years through the rest of his days. A prominent fixture among the “Lake People” for many years, he had a large circle of close friends who lived or spent time at the Lake. Tom lived life to the fullest. He was a wonderful chef, wine connoisseur, a world traveler and loved to entertain family and friends. A kind and gentle person, Tom epitomized the true gentleman and has been a role model and mentor to family and friends of several generations. He was preceded in death by his sister, Bobbie Joyce Rudd Freeman of Arlington. He is survived by his loving family including son, Brent Rudd and wife Terry of Grapevine; daughter, Niki Rudd Hunt and husband Peter of Howe; daughter, Lana Rudd Schroeder of Tyler; step-son Jonathan Dickard and wife Amanda of Flint; grandchildren Cody Rudd and wife Reanne; Leigh Taylor; Logan Taylor; Travis Hunt; Blake Schroeder; Lauren Schroeder; and Preston Dickard; great grandsons Austin Rudd and Carson Rudd; sister Martha Rudd Harvey and husband George of Tyler; and 12 nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Blake Schroeder, Logan Taylor, Travis Hunt, Cody Rudd, Billy McGwier and Jim Yates. Honorary pallbearers will be the Royal Order of Jesters, Court 168. Visitation is scheduled from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Monday, August 1, 2016 at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Highway, in Tyler. If desired, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1301 S. Broadway, Tyler 75701 or Shriner’s Burn Hospital in Galveston, 815 Market St., Galveston 77550.

Thomas "Tom" Rayford Rudd

December 17, 1935 - July 26, 2016