John Walter Rude, age 74, passed from death into eternal life peacefully at his home in Springfield, Missouri, on January 21, 2022.

On May 20, 1947, John was born in Paris, Texas, to Franklin Elliot Rude and Virginia Constance Rude (Jones). He was the loving husband to Linda Ruth Rude (Gibson). They married on February 21, 1970. After graduating from Purdue University in 1969, he spent many years as a machinist and lived in Indianapolis, Indiana, and Phoenix, Arizona. In 1995, John and Linda moved to Springfield, Missouri, where he continued working as a machinist; however, in 2000, he began the highlight of his career as an instructor of Machine Tool Technology at Ozark Technical Community College. This job as an instructor allowed him to demonstrate his love for teaching and leading others. He was also privileged to mentor countless leaders in the machine technology industry through this job. He retired from full-time teaching in 2016, but he remained an adjunct instructor until his passing in 2022. He was a beloved instructor and was loved and respected by his peers and colleagues at the college.

With his wife Linda, John was an active member at Seminole Baptist Temple in Springfield, MO, where he had been a greeter, helped lead the Sunshiner's senior ministry, and taught a Sunday School class for young married couples. He was characterized by kindness and graciousness by all those who knew him.

He is survived by his wife, Linda; their son, Billy, and his wife, Allison; their daughter, Beth, and her husband, Jon; their grandson, Cameryn, his wife Sarah and his stepdaughter, Emily, John and Linda's great-granddaughter; and their three granddaughters, Madisyn, Jaelyn, and Raeghyn. He is also survived by his brother, Neil. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, David. John was a family man who placed his family's needs above his until his final days.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Seminole Baptist Temple in Springfield, Missouri (4221 S. National Avenue), on Saturday, January 29, at 10:30 a.m.; masks are requested. In lieu of flowers, gifts can be given to the John Rude Memorial Fund , which will be used to assist the family with medical bills and for a memorial fund. The service will be live-streamed at seminolebaptist.online.church for those who cannot attend.

GoFundme Link: https://gofund.me/27b36e17