Alva - Funeral Services for Donald Harold Rudy will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 27, 2022, at the Zion Lutheran Church, with Pastor Randy Foote officiating. Interment will follow at Short Springs Cemetery. Services are entrusted to Marshall Funeral Home of Alva.

Donald Harold Rudy was born on April 3, 1938, to Daniel "Harold" and Eva Snyder Rudy. He was the first of four children. Don started in the cattle business at the age of 4 when a neighbor, Mr. Howell, gave him an orphaned heifer to raise. He raised and showed everything from chickens to cattle. Don was a State FFA Farmer at Alva High School. He then attended Oklahoma State University where he graduated with a degree in Vocational Education.

While at OSU, he met and married Henrietta Lindbloom during wheat harvest in South Dakota. They were married on September 7, 1958, and had three children, Daryl, Daron and David.

Upon graduating from OSU, Don began his career as a vocational agriculture teacher in Loyal, Oklahoma, then Freedom, Oklahoma, and finally in Alva, Oklahoma, for a total of 16 years as a vo-ag teacher. Along the way, he earned his Masters in Vocational Education from OSU.

Don served as President of the National Vo-Ag Teachers Association and received the Honorary American Farmer Degree from the National FFA Association.

Most importantly, Don valued his FFA boys. He loved teaching and influencing the young men. He cared deeply for all of his students.

Don was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Henrietta; his son, Daryl; his parents; and his sister, Carolyn. He is survived by his sons, David of Enid and Daron and his wife Lisa of Enid; grandchildren, Kyle, Matthew, Ashlyn, Gracie and Harry; and his sisters, Janice of Yukon and Margaret of Lambert.

Memorial contributions can be made through the funeral home to Alva FFA.

Remembrances may be shared with the family at www.marshallfuneralhomes.com.