James Dean Rudd

1960 - 2021

James Dean Rudd
June 6, 1960 - December 7, 2021
Baton Rouge, Louisiana - James Dean "Jimmy" Rudd passed away in Cary, NC on 12/7/2021, after a lengthy illness. Jimmy was born in Abilene, TX 61 years earlier, on 6/6/1960, and raised in Baton Rouge, LA. After graduating from Woodlawn High School in 1978, he moved to Raleigh, NC for new adventures, in 1986. He attended Wake Technical Community College, learning about computer technology. It was there that he met the love of his life, Kate Malenzak. They were engaged to be married when she lost her battle with cystic fibrosis. He was never the same after that loss. Jimmy loved music. The louder the better! He had a passion for building and installing quality sound systems that were sure to rattle the license plate on your car and annoy your neighbors. He helped his friends with any computer issues that they had. Within the last year, he had signed up to be an organ donor; he likely was thinking of Kate when he did that. He is survived by his mother Charlene Landry, father Harold Rudd, half-sisters Julie McIntosh and Tina Rudd Eckard, half-brothers Hal Rudd and David Rudd, and stepsister Patti Frentz. He was preceded in death by his grandparents Ruth and Boots Wilcox, and Nellie and Elmer Rudd. A private celebration of life will be held at a later date in Baton Rouge, LA.