Gary A. Dudder

Gary A. Dudder, 72 of Kearney died Saturday, September 27, 2014 at his residence. Funeral services will be 4:00 PM, Thursday, October 2, 2014 at Family of Christ Lutheran Church in Kearney. The Rev. John Gosswein will officiate. Military honors will take place after the service and conducted by the Navy Honors Team, VFW #759 and the American Legion # 52. Cremation will follow the service. Visitation will be 5-7pm, Wednesday at O'Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney. Memorials are suggested to family for future designation. On-line condolences may be submitted to osrfh.com. O'Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home of Kearney is in charge of arrangements. Gary was born February 1, 1942 in Seattle, Washington to Joseph and Harriet (Schoffner) Dudder. On December 2nd, 1995 he married Jaculin Brickner (Ruby). Gary moved to Santa Barbara, California as a young boy, graduated high school, and received a Masters in psychology at the University of Redlands, California. He then graduated from Brite University at Texas Christian University with a Masters of Divinity. He was ordained at the 1st Christian Church, Disciples of Christ in Santa Barbara, where he served as pastor. He also served at churches in Lampasas, Snyder, Lockhart, Borger, Monahans, and Kermit, Texas, as well as Las Vegas, New Mexico. He managed a Sambos restaurant from 1975 to 1978, served as police chaplain in Las Vegas, NM and served as a chaplain in the U.S. Navy from 1977 to 1979. Gary moved to Kearney, Nebraska in 1992 to serve the 1st Christian Church. He married Jacci and together they served at the United Parish of Lenora, Kansas and the 1st Christian Church in Aurora, Nebraska. He served as a police chaplain, sold insurance and had his own independent agency in Kearney. Gary sang in several quartets in college and was once a Barbershopper. He was an experienced fisherman and loved singing, golfing and Husker football. He had an impact on every life he touched, but most of all he loved his family. Survivors include his wife; son, David Dudder of California; son, Jeff Dudder and wife Kim of Pennsylvania; daughter, Joy Baskins and husband Jason of Alabama; step-son, Jeff Witt and wife Connie of Kearney; sister, Shelley Rose and husband Tony of Thousand Oaks, California; aunt, Helen Bruskrud of Everett, Washington; grandchildren Tristan Dudder, Daniel and Willa Dudder, Derrin Armijo, Dale Lee Claypool, Tiffany Swensen, Kimberly Schulz, Kayde Connely, Bleys and Barret Witt; great granddaughter Jozlynn Schatz. Preceded in death by his parents.

Gary A. Dudder

February 1, 1942 - September 27, 2014