Richard Tudor

Richard Dennis Tudor, 76, passed away September 9, 2024.

Richard was born April 12, 1948, in Robstown, TX (near Corpus Christi) to Owen Tudor and Gracie B. Tudor.

Following high school, 19-year-old Richard voluntarily enlisted in the United States Navy in December of 1967 to serve our nation during a time of active war. Petty Officer Tudor served Honorably fulfilling his active-duty commitment with over three years as a Construction Mechanic with the famed United States Seabee's Navy Construction Battalions. He was promoted three times in his three years and 5 months service, attaining the leadership rank of a Non-Commissioned Officer, Petty Officer 3rd Class Construction Mechanic. Petty Officer Tudor served our nation on Active Duty through May 7, 1970, and was honorably discharged from his US Navy Reserve obligation in December 1973.

During his time in the Navy, Petty Officer Tudor received many awards and medals. He received two Navy Challenge coins honoring US Navy Seabee professionalism and service. He received eleven ribbons of which eight are ribbon versions of his military medals, and the remaining three are very significant ribbon-only devices. Medals he received during his service include The Navy Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Fleet Marine Force Combat Operations Insignia device, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with bronze star, Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 device, Navy Expert Rifle Medal, and the Cold War Victory Commemorative Medal.

After his honorable discharge from the military Richard spent the early 1970's working for Caterpillar and Cummings and the Alaskan Pipeline. In 1978 he worked in Saudi Arabia working on drilling rigs as a mechanic. After this he became a heavy haul truck driver. He spent the next 40 years driving. He became a mentor for many truckers, teaching and helping them any way he could. He met the love of his life in 1991. Joy Tudor was the pilot lead car for some of the loads that Richard was hauling. They developed a wonderful friendship that later led to love and marriage on October 18, 1993.

Richard is preceded in death by his parents Owen and Gracie B. Tudor.

He is survived by wife Joy Tudor, children Contessa Tudor-Akin and husband Theron, Nicola Tudor-Hood and husband Sean, sister Alice Sawyer, grandchildren Vanessa Tudor, Luke Akin, Aleeya Akin, Jacob Truett, Madi Wright and husband Brady, Taylor Hood, Dakoda Hood, Hayleigh Hood, and great-grandson Emmett Wright.

Service will be 1:00 PM Thursday October 3, 2024, at the Dallas/Fort Worth National Cemetery. Officiating will be Rev. David B. Craig and Rev. Harold A. Craig.