Roger Thornton Rudder

1959 - 2023

Roger Thornton Rudder went to heaven on March 2, 2023, at 62 years old. He was born in Lynchburg, Virginia, on June 19, 1959, at Virginia Baptist Hospital to parents, Clarence Thornton Rudder and Marian Lennis Rudder.

Roger is survived by and loved by his wife, Alana Rudder, whom he married on December 26, 2015; sister, Elizabeth Diane Harris; brother, Howard Lewis Rudder; nieces, Amy Harris Fullen and April Harris; great nephew, Christopher Harris; many great nieces and nephews; and his furry companions. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, James Craft Reasor.

Roger was a lifelong resident of Lynchburg, Virginia, but later resided in Rustburg, Virginia, with his wife, Alana. He attended Brookfield High School and Emory & Henry College, where he studied physical therapy and excelled in baseball and frisbee golf. He dedicated his life to loving his Savior, Jesus Christ; loving his family and friends; and to the study and honoring of the brave men and women who fought for the Confederacy in the Civil War, including his great, great grandfather, Captain Henry Douglas Puckett of Co. 1, 42 Virginia Infantry. He served as a supporter and historical interpreter for the American Civil War Museum and as one of the founders of the Seminary Ridge Museum in Gettysburg, Pa. Roger worked in many professions, including as a truck driver, a business manager, a stunt driver, and a bouncer. He was an advanced life support EMT for 20 years, serving Campbell County, Virginia and saving many lives. He was also a Little League baseball coach and an important member of Challenged Sports Exchange in which he coached children and young adults with disabilities in baseball. He is known as a patient and loving coach by those he served.

A celebration of life service will be held in Roger's honor at 6 p.m. Monday, March 27, 2023, at Compassion Church of the Nazarene, Wards Ferry Road, Lynchburg, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Compassion Church of the Nazarene or the American Battlefield Trust, organizations Roger passionately supported. Heritage Funeral Service and Crematory, (434) 239-2405 is assisting the family. Memories and thoughts may be shared with the family at www.heritagefuneralandcremation.com.