Claude Thomas Rudd

Claude Thomas Rudd, 78, of Colonial Heights, passed away Friday, May 22, 2015. Born in Stewartsville, NJ, he was the son of the late Claude Frederick and Letha Strunk Rudd. He was also preceded in death by his beloved wife of 54 years, Margaret Louise “Peggy” Rudd and a son, William Edward Rudd, who died in infancy. Claude enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1954 and was proud to be a “Mustang Marine.” While serving in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968, he was promoted to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. He retired from active duty in 1975 as Captain, and spent the next 20 years working in civil service for the U.S. Army at Fort Bragg and Fort Lee. Claude was active for many years in numerous Masonic organizations. He was a member of New River Lodge No. 736 A.F. & A.M., Jacksonville, NC, Past Master of Petersburg Lodge No. 15 A.F. & A.M., Past District Deputy Grand Master for the 29th Masonic District, and Past Supreme Royal Patron, Supreme Council, Order of the Amaranth. He was also a member of Petersburg Union Royal Arch Chapter No. 7, Appomattox Commandery No. 6, Colonial Heights Court No. 10, Order of the Amaranth, Alpha Chapter No. 1, Order of the Eastern Star, as well as numerous others. He is survived by a son, Mark T. Rudd and wife, Elizabeth, of Raleigh, NC; daughter, Claudia Rudd of Winterville, NC; grandchildren, Jamie, Seth, and Maggie Rudd, Kevin and Emily Justesen. A funeral service with Amaranth and Masonic Rites will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 27, 2015 at the Petersburg Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home. Following the service, family and friends are invited to the Petersburg Masonic Temple, 115 South Sycamore Street, for fellowship and refreshments. Interment with military funeral honors will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 28 at Quantico National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com .