Donald Rudd Obituary

Donald Wayne “Duke” Rudd, beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, and friend, passed away on April 27, 2025, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri at the age of 90 after an abundant life.

On November 26, 1955, Duke was blessed to marry his lifelong love, best friend, and constant companion, Shirley (Seyer) Rudd. They were married 69 years.

Duke is survived by Shirley; sons Kevin (Kelly) and Kris (Jeana); grandchildren Mandy Willis, Dillon Rudd, Dalton Rudd, Catherine Kiser, and Michael Kiser (Sydney); sister-in-law Sue Rudd, niece Tammy Rogers (Den), and nephew Lee Rudd (Lil). He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Gene Rudd, and daughter Kim (Rudd) Hardin.

Duke was born in Windsor, Missouri on January 14, 1935, to Forest Lee and Lottie (Williams) Rudd. His grade school classmates called him the “Duke of Windsor,” a name he would be known by his entire life. In 1945, Duke’s family moved to Sikeston, Missouri.

Duke graduated from Sikeston High School in 1952. During the 1940s and ‘50s, the Sikeston Bulldogs held a dynasty in high school football. From 1948 to 1953, the Bulldogs achieved a remarkable 52-game unbeaten streak. Duke was a recognized and honored team member during that era. He was an All-State guard in 1951. In 1968, he was named one of the Top 20 Greatest Bulldogs of the Century.

In addition to his football achievements, Duke was a three-year starting center fielder for the Sikeston high school baseball team that placed second in the state championship in 1951. In the 1980s, that team was inducted into the Sikeston Sports Hall of Fame.

Sports were near and dear to Duke throughout his life. In 1944, at the age of nine, he went to Sportsman’s Park to watch his first St. Louis Cardinals baseball game (that year the Cards won the World Series by defeating the St. Louis Browns). Over the years, Duke rarely missed Cards games on radio or TV. He had an amazing memory, told wonderful stories about teams and players, and could quote baseball statistics with the best of them.

During the ‘60s and ‘70s, Duke greatly enjoyed coaching his sons and other youngsters in sports leagues. In later years, he loved watching and cheering on his grandsons in baseball and basketball.

In 1961, Duke began a career in banking. He graduated from the School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin in 1968. He started the installment loan department at The Planters Bank (now Montgomery Bank) and, over the years, Duke was an executive vice president at the Bank of Chaffee, a vice president and trust officer at Commerce Bank of Poplar Bluff, and president and director at the First National Bank of Malden. He was also active in civic clubs during this time.

Duke and Shirley shared a deep and committed love for each other and were an inseparable team. For forty years, they found, restored, and sold antiques and collectibles. They cherished their time traveling innumerable miles in their vans and working together at home. For twenty-five years, they marketed their goods at Old Timers in Dexter, MO, and most recently at The Mill in Ellsinore, MO.

Duke was a born-again believer in Jesus Christ who enjoyed reading his Bible, praying, and growing in his faith and understanding of the Gospel. He was a faithful member of Fellowship Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff where he was active in Sunday School, served as deacon chairman, and for many years sang in the church choir.

Services will be held at Fellowship Baptist Church with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. and a celebration of life starting at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 5, 2025. Duke will be inurned at the Poplar Bluff City Cemetery.

Duke will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by his family and his many valued friends. We are comforted by the truth that by Christ’s saving grace, he now and forever lives fully restored in the presence of his Lord and Savior.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Fellowship Church Poplar Bluff.

Cotrell Willow Ridge Funeral & Cremation Services is honored to serve the family and friends of Mr. Donald W. Rudd. Online condolences can be made at www.cwrfcs.com.