JERRY O'DELL DUDLEY ~ Class of 1953
November 23, 1933 - November 5, 2007

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Jerry "River Rat" O'Dell Dudley was born in Portland, OR. He was a resident of Richland since 1943 and passed away Monday, November 5th at the age of 73.

As a child, Jerry contracted Polio. Although it left him with a disability, his zest for life was never diminished.

He graduated from Columbia High School in 1953. He was a 3 year letterman in football and baseball as a manager for Coach Fran Rish from 1950 - 1953. He was also a drummer in the school band. During these years, Jerry was also very active in DeMolay, where he achieved the Chevalier Degree and was a Master Counselor. After high school, he attended Central Washington University. He was a retired nuclear process operator for Westinghouse.

Jerry had a great love for the Columbia and Snake Rivers and music. He excelled at swimming and worked several years at the Richland "Big Pool" as an instructor and manager. He taught hundreds of children how to swim from the late '40s to the early 1960s.

Throughout his adult life, he enjoyed boating, drums and bugle corps, scotch and motor sports.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Velma, his older brother, Jack and sister Diane Dudley Chubb ('54).

He is survived by his sons Bob, Dean and Jeff (his favorite), and daughter Jennifer Dudley Weiderman, sister-in-law Jo Dresser Dudley ('44), AK, brother-in-law Ken Chubb ('53), WA; his favorite nephew, Paul Dudley, WA and his children Shad and Ryan Dudley, also of WA, nieces Dawn Dudley Steffey, WA, Pam Dudley Carter, AK, Brenda Chubb Waymire, CA and Kim Chubb Stewart, OR.

Dad's smile and laughter will be remembered and greatly missed. At his request, no formal services will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the City of Richland's Parks and Recreation Department or to the Tri-City Hospice at The Chaplaincy.

"It's a beautiful day on the river. Talley Ho!"

The above published in the Tri-City Herald

From Norma Loescher Boswell ('53):
Jerry was a Bomber through and through. As classmates, he and I served on dance planning committees. Jerry appeared in Pep Assembly skits, tapping into his good sense of humor. He was a close friend of Marilyn Richey ('53-RIP). Marilyn and Jerry had steel-trap memories. Books could be written about the high school people, places, and events Jerry remembered.

As a youth, Jerry caught polio and lived the rest of his life with a severely shortened leg. His musical nature moved him to join the band. Later he kept his love of sports alive by becoming a manager of the football and basketball teams.

After high school Jerry spent a lot of time on boats in the Columbia River, bestowing upon himself the title "river rat." He helped plan alumni and Club 40 reunions. In everything he did, Jerry gave freely of himself and was loved in return. He will be dearly missed.

-Norma Loescher Boswell ('53)