James Stanley "Jim" Rudy

Jim Rudy was born on September 19, 1937, in Wink, Texas, to Otha Grey and Blanche Rudy. Jim is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Jane, as well as their three children and families: Jennifer and Mark Fawks (Sydney, Cooper, and Connor) of Dallas, Jeff Rudy of College Station, and Jon and Julie Rudy (Jackson, Alison, and Kate) of Conroe.

Jim was raised in West Texas and Southern Indiana. After losing his mom at the tender age of eleven, Jim spent one year in Salem, Indiana, with his relatives on the family farm. He then traveled by train from West Texas to Salem, Indiana, by himself each summer to work on the family farm. His grandma and aunts would spoil him with southern cooking, while his uncles taught him to work hard from sunup to sundown. These experiences shaped his educational future. Jim earned a degree in Dairy Science from Texas Tech University, where he was a member of the SAE fraternity. After graduating, he earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of North Texas. His career was spent as an executive in the dairy industry, working for Foremost Dairy, Southland Corporation, and Flav-O-Rich Dairy, which led to many great adventures for his family, with moves about every three years to different states.

Jim met Mary Jane in high school, and they were great friends while attending Texas Tech. It was not until after graduation that Jim quickly realized he wanted to share his life with her. They were married in Monahans, Texas, on August 5, 1961. They recently celebrated their 64th Wedding Anniversary.

Jim loved the Lord, his family, and his country. He served six months of active duty and six years in the reserves for the United States Marine Corps, earning the rank of Corporal. Jim and Mary Jane were early members of Christ United Methodist Church in Farmers Branch, Texas, where Jim intentionally planted his children to be raised in the faith. After retirement, Jim found great joy in serving at Munsey Methodist Church in Johnson City, TN, where he met early Thursday mornings with a group of members to dedicate prayer time for their families, church members, their community, and their nation. Serving on the board of the Crumley House Brain Injury Rehab Center for a decade, Jim was often humbled by the patrons of the rehab center and their positive attitudes, and he loved serving these beautiful families that had suffered so much. After settling back in Texas, Jim and Mary Jane became active in Christ Church in College Station, Texas. They invested their time in a church they deeply loved and, through the church's biblical teachings, aided in the continuous growth of their faith.

Jim was known for his eternal optimism and generous nature. He always looked for the good in any situation. He had a contagious smile and taught his family by example that integrity and character were far more important than any earthly treasure. In his later years, he sought productive ways to help others by establishing scholarships for students at Texas Tech University and Texas A&M University, while also serving as a docent at the George Bush Library.

Gathering the family together was one of Jim's greatest joys. He loved traveling with the whole family, and some of our greatest memories are trips to Maine, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, and True Grit Ranch in Granbury, Texas. These were special, intentional times with his family and great opportunities to spoil his grandkids with ice cream, adventures, and bedtime stories. Jim adored his grandkids and loved to brag on them. Attending games and activities that the kids were involved in, as well as Texas A&M Corps of Cadets March-Ins for his grandsons, were a high priority for him. Settling in Bryan, Texas, meant that he was often visited by the grandkids who attend Texas A&M, and he was thrilled with each visit and simple gatherings with any grandchild who was available.

Jim will be missed by many people, and we pray his legacy of family will continue to honor the Lord, family, and this great nation.

In lieu of flowers, and in memory of James Stanley Rudy, contributions can be made to the Crumley House Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center; 300 Urbana Road Limestone, TN 37681; www.crumleyhouse.com/donate