RuAllen "Rudy" Louis Schmidt Jr.'s Obituary
RuAllen “Rudy” Louis Schmidt, Jr.
January 14, 1949 – January 17, 2024
Germantown, TN
Rudy Schmidt, ladies’ man, golf enthusiast, devout Memphis Tigers fan, and proud MAGA Trumper, passed away on Wednesday, January 17, 2024.
The women in Rudy’s life were influential and numerous, all helped to shape the man he became. Rudy adored his grandmother, Lillian Schmidt (deceased), so much so that on the many nights when he would sleepover, he never once made protest to her setting his hair in rows of curlers before going to bed, even though it embarrassed him to no end. Due to long-term health issues of his father, RuAllen Sr. (deceased), it was Lillian and his grandfather, Russell Schmidt (deceased) who helped raise Rudy and his younger sister, Teena Green (deceased), who was angelic to a fault and whom Rudy fondly doted over. But top on Rudy’s list was his mother, Mary Milam (deceased) whom he worshipped and lovingly called “Mama” until his dying day. She was every bit the saint that Teena was, though Mary retained a few extra heartbreaks which infused her with humor and fiery passion when pushed to maximum tolerance, though such a display was always short-lived.
Rudy tied his hand in marriage three times, frequently known to say that the third time was a charm. Unfortunately, it wasn’t, but Rudy did come out ahead from that third go-round, gaining two wonderful daughters, Alicia Branan of Germantown and Alexis Eddleman of Arlington. He devoted countless hours to both girls, eagerly taking on the roles of tutor, cameraman, magician, chauffeur, swim meet starting judge, cheerleader, unfinished-plate cleaner, peacemaker, personal loan officer, college tuition backer, and doting grandfather to Riley, Ryder, and Rhys Branan and Levi and Laken Eddleman. Rudy’s heart always belonged to his former wife, Karin, but of all the women in Rudy’s life, it was his two daughters who had him preening like a peacock upon introductions to others.
Golf on Sundays was religiously observed in Rudy’s home, and he enjoyed playing golf with his son-in-law, Jeff Branan, who on rare chilly mornings “let” him win, resulting in a week-long ego boost for Rudy and, after many years, eventually Jeff’s replacement with a group of Audubon golfing buddies more on par with Rudy’s age and handicap. Rudy was also fond of reminiscing with his son-in-law, Chip Eddleman, over childhood hunting trips with his father, as Rudy never really took to the sport of hunting, mainly because he was a terrible shot. As is consistent with the statement given to the Germantown Police, Rudy couldn’t hit a fat, lounge chair-perching stray cat with a Red Ryder BB gun from two yards away to save his life. Rudy may not have been a natural born shooter, but he was an accomplished trumpet player and water skier, triumphantly skiing the length of the Tennessee River in his early adult years.
Rudy was a life-long Memphian and an ardent supporter of his alma mater, Memphis State University. When he wasn’t attending football games at the Liberty Bowl or basketball games at the Colosseum, the Pyramid, or the Forum, Rudy could regularly be heard whooping and hollering to his over-the-ears radio headset. Rain or shine, whether it was a “dream team” year or a “rebuilding” year, Rudy bled Tiger blue and cheered every player on by name for over 50 seasons.
Rudy’s family will receive relatives and friends for the visitation on Thursday, January 25th from 1:00-2:00 p.m. in the Fireside Chapel of Memorial Park Funeral Home. The funeral service will immediately follow at 2:00 p.m. and will conclude with a brief graveside service at Memorial Park Funeral Cemetery.
To view the service online, please click on the link below;
https://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/97112
Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN, 38119. (901) 767-8930
The family asks that, in honor of Rudy, you perform your patriotic duty and vote (only once, please) in the upcoming 2024 Presidential Election so that we can Make America Great Again!
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