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Arthur “A.D.” Denman Fudge died Aug. 3, 2023, in Richmond, Texas.
He was born Feb. 8,1938, in Sand Hollow, Frio County, Texas, to Albert Lester Fudge Sr. and Ruth Patterson Fudge.
In 1956, he met the love of his life in Pearsall, Texas, and three years later Kathryn Davis and A.D. were married on Aug. 7, 1959. They had an incredible 64 years together.
A.D. worked for the city of Pearsall and was the fire chief until he got the call to move to Colorado County and oversee the building and then maintenance of Rice High School and all buildings in Rice Consolidated Independent School District.
A.D. was one of the Rice Raiders’ biggest football fans over the years. From 1969 to 2005, you could count on one hand the number of games he missed, home or away. He proudly towed the Raider Band trailer to out-oftown games for decades. He continued to attend games after his retirement until his health made it too difficult. For many years after home football games, A.D. and Kathy hosted a fifth quarter at their home for any students to enjoy fellowship, hear God’s word, eat, play and stay out of trouble.
A.D. could fix nearly anything. After all, it was his job as director of maintenance for Rice CISD. His sons-inlaw heard many times “I called Dad” whenever something needed fixing around the house (many times before they even knew it was broken).
His three daughters knew it would be done quickly and correctly.
A. D.’s faith was always evident. He loved his savior and shared his faith with many over the years (including a young George Strait, but that’s a story for another time). He knew there were many times that no words needed to be spoken, just being there at a time of need was enough. He was gifted in the ministry of presence. If something needed to be said, you should listen; he was also gifted with wisdom. A.D. was a dedicated member and deacon at First Baptist Church of Eagle Lake. Few services took place that he didn’t attend. He chose to be a servant of the Lord.
A.D. thoroughly enjoyed many things, including TV Westerns — 635 episodes of “Gunsmoke,” 430 episodes of “Bonanza” or a mere 104 episodes of “Wild Wild West.” A.D. knew and watched them again and again. He invented binge watching, long before streaming services gave it a name. His favorite hobby over the years was leatherwork. Just holding a wallet, belt, bookmark or whatever he made was not only holding art but holding hand-stamped love. His creativity also extended to woodworking. A.D. made beautiful furniture, but you had better put it where you wanted it the first time; real wood is heavy, and he used real wood.
A.D. traveled very little in this life except to family reunions or to visit relatives. He often said, “I never left anything there” when some travel destination was mentioned. Oh, he did have a great time at family reunions, often cutting up with one of his brothers or sisters and exposing his silly side. Family members expected that at a reunion but rarely anywhere else.
“Love you the most” was heard from A.D. every time he left the room after tucking in one of his girls and at nearly every “goodbye” since. No Dad, “We love you the most!”
A.D. is survived by his wife, Kathryn Davis Fudge; his three daughters, Debbie (Jon) Gregory of Columbus, Denise Sklar of Eagle Lake and Danna (Greg) Murrile of Shiner.
“PawPaw’s” eight surviving grandchildren include Jordan (Samantha) Gregory of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Ryan Cason of Eagle Lake, Jessica (Jacob) Brown of Tomball, Seth (Rachel) Gregory of Leander, Rebekah (Marcus Jones) Gregory of Miami, Caleb (Kaleigh) Murrile of Seguin, Carissa (Colton Starns) Murrile of Pflugerville and Cade Murrile of Shiner.
His great-grandchildren are Sophia Gregory, Owen Gregory, Emerson Gregory and Whitley Erica Brown (arriving in November). He also is survived by one sister, Nancy Sadler of Big Foot, and many nieces and nephews.
A.D. was preceded in death by his parents, his son-in-law Chuck Sklar and granddaughter Erica Cason, his sister Ima Jane Montgomery and brothers James Fudge, A.L. “Pete” Fudge Jr. and David Fudge.
A celebration-of-life service is 2 p.m. Aug. 9, 2023, at First Baptist Church of Eagle Lake. A visitation is 1 p.m. and a reception follows the service at the church. There will be no graveside service.
Memorials can be made to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 339, Eagle Lake, TX 77434.
Online condolences may be given at www.hennekefuneralhome. com.
Services under direction of Henneke Funeral Home of Columbus.
