Howard James "Jim" RUDD

1940 - 2021

It was a cool, crisp autumn evening when Jim took his last breath on October 20, 2021. Jim was a life-long resident of Spokane, born to Howard and Georgine Rudd on August 26, 1940. He attended grade school in the Spokane Valley and graduated from Central Valley High School in 1958. He met the love of his life Sherry Burrow, they were married November 10, 1962 and raised four children. At the time, Jim was enrolled at Eastern Washington University and was pursuing a degree in music when he was offered the opportunity of a lifetime to join the Spokane Fire Department on August 20, 1964. This was the job that would give him the direction and passion for life for over 32 years.



As a structure firefighter in Spokane, Jim achieved the level of lieutenant. He worked at various stations around the city but spent most of his career on the Booster at Station #1 in downtown. The close-knit family of firefighters created a community where the families routinely spent time going camping, motorcycle riding, enjoying the holidays together and other group adventures! Jim was always the highlight of the gathering, telling his endless number of stories and jokes; he always kept the party laughing!

After retiring from firefighting, Jim stayed on to help protect the working conditions of the thousands of Washington State firefighters by serving as the 1st District Representative, Vice President and Legislative Liaison for the Washington State Council of Firefighters. His love for the job and the brotherhood of firefighters pushed him to work relentlessly in Olympia with the team that took on state legislation.



After retiring from his position with the WSCFF, Jim and Sherry joined a group of retired firefighters in Palm Springs, CA where the snowbirds enjoyed the warm weather every year and the ability to continue golfing year-round. Jim Rudd never knew a stranger, everywhere he went, he always ran into someone he knew. His fantastic sense of humor and his ability to make friends made him loved by many.



Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife of 54+ years Sherry, his brother Kenneth and sister Kathy, and his son-in-law Mark J. Rauch. He is survived by his four children Mike (Lisa), Cheryl (Carl), Christine (Mark), and Scott (Kristi), his grandchildren Ryan, Jacob, Josh, Brett and Delaney and great granddaughter Sophie.

A celebration of life will be held at the Spokane Eagles on Saturday, November 13, 2021 from 1:00-5:00. In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made to Hospice of Spokane (www.hospiceofspokane.org).