Dudley (93) was born in Kansas City, Missouri and lived there his entire life, except the 2 years
he served in the US Army, stationed in Germany. He enjoyed sports of all kinds and either
played, coached, officiated or watched many of them. He was employed by Hallmark Cards,
Inc for 42 years.
Dudley was a member of the Ruskin Heights Baptist Church in south KC for 43 years, serving
as a deacon, teacher, coach, usher, and other positions as needed. After Ruskin closed, he
became a member of Holmeswood Baptist Church and was best known in the senior club as
the “Joke Teller”. He won people over with his sense of humor and big heart.
After retiring from Hallmark Cards, he focused on his great love of fishing and most importantly
his love for his grandchildren. He attended every event possible that they participated in and
was very proud of each one of them. Dudley was excited to watch his great grandchildren
mostly through pictures and FaceTime. They always brought a smile to his face.
Dudley is preceded in death by his mother Grace (Wallace) Cook, and 2 step brothers, Robert
(Genieve) Beckner and Harold (Vera) Beckner. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Thelma
Epps Barker and two daughters Gayle (David) Albers, and Janis Smalley. He adored his 5
grandchildren, Jonathan (Brittany) Albers, Caleb (Claire) Albers, Colin (Elsbeth) Smalley, Leah
(Benjamin) Burke and Logan (Christina Silvius) Smalley. He is also survived by 5 1/2 great
grandchildren Amelia Albers, Catherine Albers, Caroline Albers, Josephine Smalley, Rutherford
Smalley and a new one due to arrive in April. He had many nieces and nephews whom he loved
greatly and enjoyed spending time with them.
Services for Dudley will be Monday, December 6th, at Newcomers Floral HIlls Funeral Home,
7000 Blue Ridge Blvd, Kansas City, Missouri, 64133. Visitation will be held from 1:00-2:00,
followed with a Celebration of Life at 2:00 pm. A private family burial will follow at the Raymore
Cemetery in Raymore, MO. In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to the Holmeswood
Baptist Church or Premier Custom Care, LLC at 7301 Mission Rd, Suite 328, Prairie Village,
KS, 66208. The family expresses a huge thank you to Premier and Dudley’s caregivers for the
care and compassion they gave him over the last year and especially in the last couple of
weeks.
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