Rudy DeWayne Woods

October 12, 1959 - January 28, 2016

The Homegoing Service for the Reverend Rudy DeWayne Woods will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 6, at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in College Station, with final viewing at 10 a.m. prior to services. Arrangements are in the care of Jones-Washington Mortuary of Bryan.

Rudy DeWayne Woods was born the fifth out of eight children to Lemon and Ruthie Woods on October 12, 1959 in Bryan, Texas. At an early age, Rudy demonstrated the skills of a great athlete. Standing 7ft tall, Rudy played and dominated the basketball court and later the court of life. He was the tallest, biggest and best to ever pass thru Bryan/College Station, Texas.

His love for basketball started at Stephen F. Austin and Bryan High School in Bryan Independent School District. Rudy would graduate from Bryan H.S. in 1978. While attending Bryan HS his achievements included taking the Bryan Vikings to three state championships under the guidance of Coach Bobby J. Perry; named most valuable player for three years in a row; and being named The 1978 McDonald's All-American MVP. Upon graduation from Bryan High School, Rudy matriculated to Texas A&M University where he played on the varsity team as a freshman under the leadership of Coach Shelby Metcalf from 1978 until 1982 and was named the South West Conference Freshman of the Year. During his tenure as an Aggie he was known as part of "The Wall" and led the team to several championships. Rudy also was fortunate enough to be drafted into the National Basketball Association by the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks. From late 1980s until mid-1990s, Rudy played overseas in Italy, France, and Spain-where he learned to speak five different languages.

Rudy concluded his basketball career and moved on to the next stage of his life by marrying Lover Diane Woods in December of 1997. To their union, Rudy helped to raise four children, Tosha, Joshua, Juandrice, and Harry Jr. Rudy obtained his CDL and drove 18-wheeler trucks for a trucking company based out of Houston then Schlumberger of Bryan, where he traveled all-across the United States. Rudy later worked as a correctional officer at Hamilton Youth State Facility in Bryan-where he impacted the lives of many troubled youths. Later he managed and was the right hand for his daughter's company, J & H Security Enterprise, Inc., where he was a valuable and integral asset to the company.

Rudy's lifespan and legacy covered his early formative years, his basketball career, his working career and last but not least his biblical years. He confessed and accepted Christ into his life at an early age. He attended Mt. Vernon Baptist Church in Bryan during his early years. He was called into the ministry in 2005 as a preacher and teacher under the leadership of the Rev. Broderick Ross at St. James Missionary Baptist Church of Bryan. He then joined Salem Missionary Baptist Church of Wellborn under the leadership of the late Rev. Cedric D. Goodman, Sr. where he was a faithful member and Associate Minister until his health started failing. Later he joined Mt. Nebo Baptist Church in Bryan under the leadership of the Rev. C.L. King, where he was a member until his homegoing.

Rudy was preceded in death by his mother, Ruthie Woods; his father, Lemon Woods Sr.; and his two brothers, David Woods Sr. and Darrin Woods.

Rudy's journey on this earth ended January 28, 2016. He leaves to cherish his memory, the love of his life, Lover Diane Woods; four sons, Rudy Woods, Jr. of Washington D.C., Samuel Warren of Denver Colo., Joshua Brown, Harry Goodman, Jr. and wife Elizabeth, all of Bryan; two daughters, LaTosha Bowles and husband David, of Spring, and Juandrice Goodman of Bryan; three grandsons, Jaedon Bowles, Aden Goodman, and Luke Bowles; and one granddaughter, Bailey Bowles; his two sisters, Sharon Johnson and husband James, and Felicia Lewis and husband Leonard; three brothers, Lemon Woods Jr., Donald Woods, all of Bryan, and Michael Woods and wife Mariko of Yokosuka, Japan; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and two godchildren of Sacramento, Calif., along with a large extended family and many friends.

Rudy's basketball legacy will forever burn in the hearts of his everyone.

[Read: Former A&M star Woods' passion for life shined through basketball]