Ralph Rudy

Ralph Rudy, 87, passed away on June 16, 2015. He was born on February 5, 1928 in Sepulpa, OK, the son of Arthur Rudy and Wilma Hayer Rudy. After completing school, he joined the military, going to basic training at Fort Bliss, TX, where he met Father Emil Kapaun, who was the chaplain there. After training he went to Fort Benning, GA where he became a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division, making over 200 jumps before he was asked to help organized a Special Forces Green Beret Reserve Unit in Wichita with the rank of Major. He also founded a Building and Maintenance Company, Kleen-Sweep. After he retired, he moved to Carlsbad, CA, before returning to Wichita. He was a member of the Optimist Club in Carlsbad, and was active in the Optimist Club in Wichita. His wife, Dolores Rudy, preceded him in death in 2012. Survivors include, children, Kelly Rudy of Las Vegas, NV, Chris Rudy of Woodland Hills, CA, and Debbie Dahna of Denver, CO; grandchildren, Kevin Rudy, Michael Rudy, Jasmine and Jessie Dahna; seven great-grandchildren; sisters, Peggy (Richard) Wheeler, Wichita, KS, Patricia Rudy-Baese, Santa Fe, NM. Viewing, rosary and video will be 6:30 pm, Friday, June 19, 2015, Downing Lahey Mortuary West. You are welcome to share memories of Ralph at this time. Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 am, Saturday, June 20, 2015, St. Patrick Catholic Church. A memorial has been established with American Kidney Fund, 11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852.