Roll Call Tribute

Rudolph Curry McDuff
April 15, 1923 ~ January 21, 2021 (age 97)

Rudolph Curry McDuff, 97, passed away on January 21, 2021, at his home in Hillsboro. A graveside service will be held on Monday, January 25, 2021, at 2:00 pm at the Grandview Cemetery. No visitation is planned. The service is under the direction of Marshall & Marshall Funeral Directors in Hillsboro and will be livestreamed on their Facebook page. If in attendance, masks and social distancing are required.

Rudy was born on April 15, 1923, to Curry and Ona McDuff. After graduation from Grandview in 1940, he enrolled in the North Texas Agricultural College of Arlington. He earned an Associate of Science degree in 1942 then began work for the Air Activities of Texas in Corsicana as an Aircraft Mechanic Crew Chief.

Rudy was a World War II veteran, serving in the 67th Fighter Squadron of the United States Army Air Force (AAF), later known as just the U.S. Army. He served from March 1943 through December 1945. Most of his service time was spent in the South Pacific as an Airplane Crew Chief and Flight Crew Chief. He earned the Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon with six bronze stars and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one bronze star as a result of the battles and campaigns with which he was involved.

After his return from the war, Rudy married Jessie Lee Smith on April 12, 1946. They lived and worked in Grandview until they moved to College Station in January 1951, where Rudy began studying industrial technology at the A&M College of Texas (now Texas A&M University). After graduation from A&M, they returned to Grandview and opened McDuff Television and Appliances, which they owned and operated until 1975. During the same timeframe, Rudy began his 20-year career as an Electronic Support Equipment Design Engineer with General Dynamics in Fort Worth.

Rudy served as Mayor of Grandview for 24 years, from 1961 until he and Jessie moved to Hillsboro in 1985. He was a member of the American Legion, Grandview Volunteer Fire Department, and the American Industrial Arts Association. He served on numerous boards (e.g., Johnson County Memorial Hospital, Johnson County Community on Aging, and Grandview Nursing Home), committees, and organizations (e.g., the Grandview Youth League, Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, and GVISD Ex-Students Association). He enjoyed woodworking, photography, and travel.

Rudy is survived by his wife of nearly 75 years, Jessie; ten nieces and nephews; and numerous other family members. He was preceded in death by an infant brother, his parents, and his brother, George McDuff.

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