Services for Jerry Edward Rudman, of New Hope, Pa., are 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 11, at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Brookhaven with burial in Riverwood Memorial Park.
Visitation is Tuesday from 5 until 8 p.m. at Riverwood Family Funeral Service.
Mr. Rudman, 48, died March 4, 2009, in New Hope. He was born on July 20, 1960, to Jerry T. Rudman and Iris Coker Rudman Smith.
He was vice president of the Center of Clinical Study of Excellence for GlaxoSmithKline. He was of the Catholic faith.
He was preceeded in death by his father.
Survivors are his mother; his two brothers; Joel and John, his two sisters; Suzanne and Judy, and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
*1978 Graduate of Brookhaven High School*
In loving memory....................................
His Name was Jerry Rudman
By: Tom Welch
March 8, 2009
Jerry and his brother Jon (my same age) were two of the first dozen people I met when I moved to Brookhaven, Mississippi, from Dallas as a 12 yr old 2nd Class Scout about to enter the 7th grade. We met at the Scout Hut for Troop 119 behind 1st Methodist Church. The late Bill Stephens, our Scoutmaster, made sure every person there met me. A friendship began there with these two brothers that has lasted the test of time.
When I was about 14, Jerry and I were talking one night about what we wanted to do when we grew up. His path was clear. He was going into accounting. My path appeared to be insurmountable for me. I wanted to be a radio disc jockey, but I stuttered a good bit back then. He quickly quipped off to me two scriptures, this 15 yr old friend of mine: "Tom, you can do anything you want if you commit your heart's desire to God. Go look at Moses. He told God he was "slow of speech," he stuttered, and could not do and speak what God required. Look what he did. Then he sent me to the N/T and reminded me that Jesus said: "what you desire, ask of it in My Name, believing, and you will have it." This 10th grader named Jerry, being a witness for Christ, believed in me when I did not believe in myself and showed me a path to my heart's desire. That night I made the commitment to stop stuttering. Less than a year later I began the 1st of five years as an "Air Personality" for a local radio station. What Jerry was doing then was living out being "helpful, friendly, courteous and kind." This was Jerry Rudman.
Growing up in a Christian home I had always been led to believe that the Holy Land was in Israel. I came to learn, according to Jerry, that was a false statement. He spent the next few years convincing me otherwise, and won me over. For the "Holy Land" is indeed in that patch of land William Faulkner called home in Lafayette County, Mississippi. Jerry's campaign to win my soul for Ole Miss was a success. A trip to Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge when I was a lad of 16 helped to seal the deal. That 1st trip to "Death Valley" became a religious experience in and of itself as various drinking containers were hurled at us throughout the game. I promised God if he got me out of there alive I would not return anytime soon. It was a crushing defeat for LSU that Saturday night, I might add. Later I followed my friend to the Holy Land of the University of Mississippi where I had a wonderful time…and even graduated.
Jerry was a consummate leader and motivator, always keeping our spirits up, never meeting a stranger, only making friends. Many a Tuesday night he spent at my grandfather's kitchen table playing poker with us. I never heard him say an unkind word of anybody or anything…with the singular exception of that retched Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge.
Now, what would Jerry want all of us to know? What would he want us to remember of him? Let your mind go to that place where you are happiest and at peace. Perhaps it is the crystal blue waters at a beach, lakeside in the Smoky Mountains, on a camping trip, tailgating at the Grove on campus at Ole Miss. Breathe in the air. Can you smell it? Breathe deeply for a moment. Feel the contentment? Now, in your mind's eye look to your right side. Enter Jerry. Does your heart smile? Mine does. You have just been bathed in a wave of God's Grace, God's love for all of us. Jerry would want you to know he knows the Grace of God, the love of His heavenly Father and the embrace of his own daddy once again.
What would Jerry want us to do to remember him? This is a time of year when many in the Church observe Lent. I think he would rather us add something to these Lenten days rather than sacrifice something as you remember his mark on your life. Take a moment to see a sick friend. Mend that broken relationship. Feed the hungry. Show someone who lacks self-confidence, as Jerry did me those many years ago, the nurturing milk of human kindness. As you do, Jerry lives on in your heart.
One day Jerry and I were on the way to Memphis to see a basketball game against the Tigers there. The radio was on and slipped to a country music station. He told me he couldn't abide country music because it was nothing more than a bunch of alleged singers getting rich singing how wonderful it was being poor. At the risk of insulting his spirit, as I close, I want to share with you some words from a country music star named Leann Womak. I think it fit for what Jerry would want you to leave this time with, knowing he loved us and wishes nothing less than a rich and wonderful life full of priceless friendships. I know I am a richer man, a better father, and a better Servant of Kindness having been able to call him "friend." Think of these words of Leann Womak as Jerry speaking to your heart one last time:
"I hope you never lose your sense of wonder. You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger. May you never take one single breath for granted. God forbid that love would ever leave you empty-handed. I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean. Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens. Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance. And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance~~~I hope you dance.
"I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance. Never settle for the path of least resistance. Living life means taking changes, but they're worth taking. Loving might be a mistake, but it's worth making. Don't let some helping heart leave you bitter. When you come close to selling out, reconsider. Give the Heavens above more than just a passing glance. And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance….I hope you dance."
I hope your mind dances with happy memories of our Jerry. All I can say is: "Well done my friend. Until the circle be unbroken, I'll keep dancing."
Visitation is Tuesday from 5 until 8 p.m. at Riverwood Family Funeral Service.
Mr. Rudman, 48, died March 4, 2009, in New Hope. He was born on July 20, 1960, to Jerry T. Rudman and Iris Coker Rudman Smith.
He was vice president of the Center of Clinical Study of Excellence for GlaxoSmithKline. He was of the Catholic faith.
He was preceeded in death by his father.
Survivors are his mother; his two brothers; Joel and John, his two sisters; Suzanne and Judy, and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
*1978 Graduate of Brookhaven High School*
In loving memory....................................
His Name was Jerry Rudman
By: Tom Welch
March 8, 2009
Jerry and his brother Jon (my same age) were two of the first dozen people I met when I moved to Brookhaven, Mississippi, from Dallas as a 12 yr old 2nd Class Scout about to enter the 7th grade. We met at the Scout Hut for Troop 119 behind 1st Methodist Church. The late Bill Stephens, our Scoutmaster, made sure every person there met me. A friendship began there with these two brothers that has lasted the test of time.
When I was about 14, Jerry and I were talking one night about what we wanted to do when we grew up. His path was clear. He was going into accounting. My path appeared to be insurmountable for me. I wanted to be a radio disc jockey, but I stuttered a good bit back then. He quickly quipped off to me two scriptures, this 15 yr old friend of mine: "Tom, you can do anything you want if you commit your heart's desire to God. Go look at Moses. He told God he was "slow of speech," he stuttered, and could not do and speak what God required. Look what he did. Then he sent me to the N/T and reminded me that Jesus said: "what you desire, ask of it in My Name, believing, and you will have it." This 10th grader named Jerry, being a witness for Christ, believed in me when I did not believe in myself and showed me a path to my heart's desire. That night I made the commitment to stop stuttering. Less than a year later I began the 1st of five years as an "Air Personality" for a local radio station. What Jerry was doing then was living out being "helpful, friendly, courteous and kind." This was Jerry Rudman.
Growing up in a Christian home I had always been led to believe that the Holy Land was in Israel. I came to learn, according to Jerry, that was a false statement. He spent the next few years convincing me otherwise, and won me over. For the "Holy Land" is indeed in that patch of land William Faulkner called home in Lafayette County, Mississippi. Jerry's campaign to win my soul for Ole Miss was a success. A trip to Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge when I was a lad of 16 helped to seal the deal. That 1st trip to "Death Valley" became a religious experience in and of itself as various drinking containers were hurled at us throughout the game. I promised God if he got me out of there alive I would not return anytime soon. It was a crushing defeat for LSU that Saturday night, I might add. Later I followed my friend to the Holy Land of the University of Mississippi where I had a wonderful time…and even graduated.
Jerry was a consummate leader and motivator, always keeping our spirits up, never meeting a stranger, only making friends. Many a Tuesday night he spent at my grandfather's kitchen table playing poker with us. I never heard him say an unkind word of anybody or anything…with the singular exception of that retched Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge.
Now, what would Jerry want all of us to know? What would he want us to remember of him? Let your mind go to that place where you are happiest and at peace. Perhaps it is the crystal blue waters at a beach, lakeside in the Smoky Mountains, on a camping trip, tailgating at the Grove on campus at Ole Miss. Breathe in the air. Can you smell it? Breathe deeply for a moment. Feel the contentment? Now, in your mind's eye look to your right side. Enter Jerry. Does your heart smile? Mine does. You have just been bathed in a wave of God's Grace, God's love for all of us. Jerry would want you to know he knows the Grace of God, the love of His heavenly Father and the embrace of his own daddy once again.
What would Jerry want us to do to remember him? This is a time of year when many in the Church observe Lent. I think he would rather us add something to these Lenten days rather than sacrifice something as you remember his mark on your life. Take a moment to see a sick friend. Mend that broken relationship. Feed the hungry. Show someone who lacks self-confidence, as Jerry did me those many years ago, the nurturing milk of human kindness. As you do, Jerry lives on in your heart.
One day Jerry and I were on the way to Memphis to see a basketball game against the Tigers there. The radio was on and slipped to a country music station. He told me he couldn't abide country music because it was nothing more than a bunch of alleged singers getting rich singing how wonderful it was being poor. At the risk of insulting his spirit, as I close, I want to share with you some words from a country music star named Leann Womak. I think it fit for what Jerry would want you to leave this time with, knowing he loved us and wishes nothing less than a rich and wonderful life full of priceless friendships. I know I am a richer man, a better father, and a better Servant of Kindness having been able to call him "friend." Think of these words of Leann Womak as Jerry speaking to your heart one last time:
"I hope you never lose your sense of wonder. You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger. May you never take one single breath for granted. God forbid that love would ever leave you empty-handed. I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean. Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens. Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance. And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance~~~I hope you dance.
"I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance. Never settle for the path of least resistance. Living life means taking changes, but they're worth taking. Loving might be a mistake, but it's worth making. Don't let some helping heart leave you bitter. When you come close to selling out, reconsider. Give the Heavens above more than just a passing glance. And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance….I hope you dance."
I hope your mind dances with happy memories of our Jerry. All I can say is: "Well done my friend. Until the circle be unbroken, I'll keep dancing."
Services for Jerry Edward Rudman, of New Hope, Pa., are 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 11, at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Brookhaven with burial in Riverwood Memorial Park.
Visitation is Tuesday from 5 until 8 p.m. at Riverwood Family Funeral Service.
Mr. Rudman, 48, died March 4, 2009, in New Hope. He was born on July 20, 1960, to Jerry T. Rudman and Iris Coker Rudman Smith.
He was vice president of the Center of Clinical Study of Excellence for GlaxoSmithKline. He was of the Catholic faith.
He was preceeded in death by his father.
Survivors are his mother; his two brothers; Joel and John, his two sisters; Suzanne and Judy, and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
*1978 Graduate of Brookhaven High School*
In loving memory....................................
His Name was Jerry Rudman
By: Tom Welch
March 8, 2009
Jerry and his brother Jon (my same age) were two of the first dozen people I met when I moved to Brookhaven, Mississippi, from Dallas as a 12 yr old 2nd Class Scout about to enter the 7th grade. We met at the Scout Hut for Troop 119 behind 1st Methodist Church. The late Bill Stephens, our Scoutmaster, made sure every person there met me. A friendship began there with these two brothers that has lasted the test of time.
When I was about 14, Jerry and I were talking one night about what we wanted to do when we grew up. His path was clear. He was going into accounting. My path appeared to be insurmountable for me. I wanted to be a radio disc jockey, but I stuttered a good bit back then. He quickly quipped off to me two scriptures, this 15 yr old friend of mine: "Tom, you can do anything you want if you commit your heart's desire to God. Go look at Moses. He told God he was "slow of speech," he stuttered, and could not do and speak what God required. Look what he did. Then he sent me to the N/T and reminded me that Jesus said: "what you desire, ask of it in My Name, believing, and you will have it." This 10th grader named Jerry, being a witness for Christ, believed in me when I did not believe in myself and showed me a path to my heart's desire. That night I made the commitment to stop stuttering. Less than a year later I began the 1st of five years as an "Air Personality" for a local radio station. What Jerry was doing then was living out being "helpful, friendly, courteous and kind." This was Jerry Rudman.
Growing up in a Christian home I had always been led to believe that the Holy Land was in Israel. I came to learn, according to Jerry, that was a false statement. He spent the next few years convincing me otherwise, and won me over. For the "Holy Land" is indeed in that patch of land William Faulkner called home in Lafayette County, Mississippi. Jerry's campaign to win my soul for Ole Miss was a success. A trip to Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge when I was a lad of 16 helped to seal the deal. That 1st trip to "Death Valley" became a religious experience in and of itself as various drinking containers were hurled at us throughout the game. I promised God if he got me out of there alive I would not return anytime soon. It was a crushing defeat for LSU that Saturday night, I might add. Later I followed my friend to the Holy Land of the University of Mississippi where I had a wonderful time…and even graduated.
Jerry was a consummate leader and motivator, always keeping our spirits up, never meeting a stranger, only making friends. Many a Tuesday night he spent at my grandfather's kitchen table playing poker with us. I never heard him say an unkind word of anybody or anything…with the singular exception of that retched Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge.
Now, what would Jerry want all of us to know? What would he want us to remember of him? Let your mind go to that place where you are happiest and at peace. Perhaps it is the crystal blue waters at a beach, lakeside in the Smoky Mountains, on a camping trip, tailgating at the Grove on campus at Ole Miss. Breathe in the air. Can you smell it? Breathe deeply for a moment. Feel the contentment? Now, in your mind's eye look to your right side. Enter Jerry. Does your heart smile? Mine does. You have just been bathed in a wave of God's Grace, God's love for all of us. Jerry would want you to know he knows the Grace of God, the love of His heavenly Father and the embrace of his own daddy once again.
What would Jerry want us to do to remember him? This is a time of year when many in the Church observe Lent. I think he would rather us add something to these Lenten days rather than sacrifice something as you remember his mark on your life. Take a moment to see a sick friend. Mend that broken relationship. Feed the hungry. Show someone who lacks self-confidence, as Jerry did me those many years ago, the nurturing milk of human kindness. As you do, Jerry lives on in your heart.
One day Jerry and I were on the way to Memphis to see a basketball game against the Tigers there. The radio was on and slipped to a country music station. He told me he couldn't abide country music because it was nothing more than a bunch of alleged singers getting rich singing how wonderful it was being poor. At the risk of insulting his spirit, as I close, I want to share with you some words from a country music star named Leann Womak. I think it fit for what Jerry would want you to leave this time with, knowing he loved us and wishes nothing less than a rich and wonderful life full of priceless friendships. I know I am a richer man, a better father, and a better Servant of Kindness having been able to call him "friend." Think of these words of Leann Womak as Jerry speaking to your heart one last time:
"I hope you never lose your sense of wonder. You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger. May you never take one single breath for granted. God forbid that love would ever leave you empty-handed. I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean. Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens. Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance. And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance~~~I hope you dance.
"I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance. Never settle for the path of least resistance. Living life means taking changes, but they're worth taking. Loving might be a mistake, but it's worth making. Don't let some helping heart leave you bitter. When you come close to selling out, reconsider. Give the Heavens above more than just a passing glance. And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance….I hope you dance."
I hope your mind dances with happy memories of our Jerry. All I can say is: "Well done my friend. Until the circle be unbroken, I'll keep dancing."
Visitation is Tuesday from 5 until 8 p.m. at Riverwood Family Funeral Service.
Mr. Rudman, 48, died March 4, 2009, in New Hope. He was born on July 20, 1960, to Jerry T. Rudman and Iris Coker Rudman Smith.
He was vice president of the Center of Clinical Study of Excellence for GlaxoSmithKline. He was of the Catholic faith.
He was preceeded in death by his father.
Survivors are his mother; his two brothers; Joel and John, his two sisters; Suzanne and Judy, and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
*1978 Graduate of Brookhaven High School*
In loving memory....................................
His Name was Jerry Rudman
By: Tom Welch
March 8, 2009
Jerry and his brother Jon (my same age) were two of the first dozen people I met when I moved to Brookhaven, Mississippi, from Dallas as a 12 yr old 2nd Class Scout about to enter the 7th grade. We met at the Scout Hut for Troop 119 behind 1st Methodist Church. The late Bill Stephens, our Scoutmaster, made sure every person there met me. A friendship began there with these two brothers that has lasted the test of time.
When I was about 14, Jerry and I were talking one night about what we wanted to do when we grew up. His path was clear. He was going into accounting. My path appeared to be insurmountable for me. I wanted to be a radio disc jockey, but I stuttered a good bit back then. He quickly quipped off to me two scriptures, this 15 yr old friend of mine: "Tom, you can do anything you want if you commit your heart's desire to God. Go look at Moses. He told God he was "slow of speech," he stuttered, and could not do and speak what God required. Look what he did. Then he sent me to the N/T and reminded me that Jesus said: "what you desire, ask of it in My Name, believing, and you will have it." This 10th grader named Jerry, being a witness for Christ, believed in me when I did not believe in myself and showed me a path to my heart's desire. That night I made the commitment to stop stuttering. Less than a year later I began the 1st of five years as an "Air Personality" for a local radio station. What Jerry was doing then was living out being "helpful, friendly, courteous and kind." This was Jerry Rudman.
Growing up in a Christian home I had always been led to believe that the Holy Land was in Israel. I came to learn, according to Jerry, that was a false statement. He spent the next few years convincing me otherwise, and won me over. For the "Holy Land" is indeed in that patch of land William Faulkner called home in Lafayette County, Mississippi. Jerry's campaign to win my soul for Ole Miss was a success. A trip to Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge when I was a lad of 16 helped to seal the deal. That 1st trip to "Death Valley" became a religious experience in and of itself as various drinking containers were hurled at us throughout the game. I promised God if he got me out of there alive I would not return anytime soon. It was a crushing defeat for LSU that Saturday night, I might add. Later I followed my friend to the Holy Land of the University of Mississippi where I had a wonderful time…and even graduated.
Jerry was a consummate leader and motivator, always keeping our spirits up, never meeting a stranger, only making friends. Many a Tuesday night he spent at my grandfather's kitchen table playing poker with us. I never heard him say an unkind word of anybody or anything…with the singular exception of that retched Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge.
Now, what would Jerry want all of us to know? What would he want us to remember of him? Let your mind go to that place where you are happiest and at peace. Perhaps it is the crystal blue waters at a beach, lakeside in the Smoky Mountains, on a camping trip, tailgating at the Grove on campus at Ole Miss. Breathe in the air. Can you smell it? Breathe deeply for a moment. Feel the contentment? Now, in your mind's eye look to your right side. Enter Jerry. Does your heart smile? Mine does. You have just been bathed in a wave of God's Grace, God's love for all of us. Jerry would want you to know he knows the Grace of God, the love of His heavenly Father and the embrace of his own daddy once again.
What would Jerry want us to do to remember him? This is a time of year when many in the Church observe Lent. I think he would rather us add something to these Lenten days rather than sacrifice something as you remember his mark on your life. Take a moment to see a sick friend. Mend that broken relationship. Feed the hungry. Show someone who lacks self-confidence, as Jerry did me those many years ago, the nurturing milk of human kindness. As you do, Jerry lives on in your heart.
One day Jerry and I were on the way to Memphis to see a basketball game against the Tigers there. The radio was on and slipped to a country music station. He told me he couldn't abide country music because it was nothing more than a bunch of alleged singers getting rich singing how wonderful it was being poor. At the risk of insulting his spirit, as I close, I want to share with you some words from a country music star named Leann Womak. I think it fit for what Jerry would want you to leave this time with, knowing he loved us and wishes nothing less than a rich and wonderful life full of priceless friendships. I know I am a richer man, a better father, and a better Servant of Kindness having been able to call him "friend." Think of these words of Leann Womak as Jerry speaking to your heart one last time:
"I hope you never lose your sense of wonder. You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger. May you never take one single breath for granted. God forbid that love would ever leave you empty-handed. I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean. Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens. Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance. And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance~~~I hope you dance.
"I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance. Never settle for the path of least resistance. Living life means taking changes, but they're worth taking. Loving might be a mistake, but it's worth making. Don't let some helping heart leave you bitter. When you come close to selling out, reconsider. Give the Heavens above more than just a passing glance. And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance….I hope you dance."
I hope your mind dances with happy memories of our Jerry. All I can say is: "Well done my friend. Until the circle be unbroken, I'll keep dancing."
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
