John Robert (Bob) Rudder, age 79, passed away in Warren, Arkansas on Tuesday, January 25, 2022. He was born August 25, 1942 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas to the late William Royal Rudder, Sr., and Coretta Cheney Rudder. Bob graduated from Pine Bluff High School and played Zebra football. He completed advanced training at the Arkansas Fire Training Academy in Camden, Arkansas.
Bob worked for the Union Pacific Railroad as a conductor. He also worked for the Cotton Belt, and Southern Pacific Railroads. His was a member of the United Transportation Union Alumni. After his retirement he began working as a volunteer fireman at Oak Grove Fire Department in Pulaski County. He was later hired as a full-time firefighter until the age of 70. At this time, he was elected to the fire Board of Directors. Bob worked rescue during two devastating tornadoes that hit the Oak Grove community in 2011 and 2014. Bob served the community of Pinebergen as a Captain of the Highway 15 South Fire Department, Pine Bluff, Arkansas until 1995.
He was an Eagle Scout, Order of the Arrow, and a boy scout leader of Pine Bluff Troop 0106 for over 40 years. He has hiked and camped in Canada, Philmont Boy Scout Ranch and hiked the Arkansas 100-mile trail in 2015. He was a lifetime member of the National Hunting Club and an avid deer hunter. He was pleased to display his 12- point, 11- point and 10-point deer heads in his den. Bob traveled completely around the world to forty-four countries and all fifty states.
He is preceded in death by his first wife, Vickie Paulette Brown Rudder of Pine Bluff, two sisters, Shirley Mae (Joe Marion) Mcrae of Pine Bluff and Patsy Ruth (Tom) Taylor of Austin, Texas. He is survived by his wife Carol Cleo (Dolly) Woodard Rudder of Warren, and one brother, William Royal Rudder (Glenda) of Bryant, Arkansas. He is also survived by three children: Penny Rudder Lowe, (spouse Dennis); of Azle, Texas John Robert Rudder, Jr. (spouse Jackie) of Star City, Arkansas and William Victor Rudder of Justin, Texas. He is survived by two stepchildren: Corey Davidson (spouse Chris) of Bentonville, Arkansas, and Ben Nowlin (spouse Lauren) of Little Rock. He is grandfather to eight grandchildren: Kyle Lowe, Megan Lowe Welch, Colton Rudder, Justin Rudder, Kieara Rudder, Grady Davidson, Archer Davidson, Everett Nowlin and three great grandchildren: Arabella Welch, Aliyah Welch, Remington Lowe.
Graveside services was held 10:00 a.m. Thursday, February 3, 2022 at Roselawn Memorial Garden, 10851 Highway 63 S. Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Brother Samuel Beavers officiated the service. Pallbearer were Kyle Lowe, Colton Rudder, Justin Rudder, Grady Davidson, Archer Davidson, and Everette Nowlin. All arrangements were by Frazer Funeral Home, Warren, Arkansas.
Bob proudly served our country in the US Navy from November 9, 1962, until September 19, 1966, aboard the USS Hoel in Vietnam. Bob was a lifetime member of the American Legion. The family prefers memorials be made to the Bradley County Veteran’s Museum, John Little, Director; 210 North Main Street, Warren, Arkansas 71671.