Dorothy B. Rudd

November 30, 1917 – July 19, 2014

Dorothy Baker Rudd, born to Everett Baker and Jean Collins Baker in Monroe County, Missouri, on November 30, 1917, passed away on July 19, 2014, in Grand Junction, Colorado. Dorothy was born and raised on the family farm and attended a one-room country school. She graduated at Shelbina High School in Shelbina, Missouri, in 1935. Later she moved to San Diego, California, where she was employed for several years as an accountant with a public accounting firm.

Dorothy married Clifton Payne of San Diego who had a five year old son, Robert Clifton Payne. After only five years of marriage Clifton passed away.

Dorothy continued with Robert Clifton and started attending evening classes at San Diego State University with the goal of becoming a Certified Public Accountant. It was there that she met Keith Jack Rudd, an officer in the United States Navy from Minneapolis, Minnesota, who was stationed in San Diego. He was better known as “Jack” and he too had the goal of becoming a Certified Public Accountant.

Dorothy and Jack were married in 1954. Jack had three grown sons: John, James and Joel. Dorothy and Jack moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, where they obtained their certificates as Certified Public Accountants in 1956; and where together they established the accounting firm of “Rudd and Rudd”. Dorothy has the distinction of being the first lady to obtain a certificate as a CPA in the state of Nevada. After more than twenty some very successful years in the accounting profession, Rudd and Rudd was merged with the international accounting company of Grant Thorton CPA’s.

The Rudds retired and moved to Boulder City, Nevada. Throughout the years of retirement, Jack continued as an active member of the United States Naval Reserve and advanced to the rank of Captain, USNR. Jack passed away of a heart attack in 1995.

Throughout Dorothy’s professional career she made friends and business associates with many in and out of the accounting fraternity in Nevada. She met and worked with corporate executives and elected officials including the state governor, senators, and other county and state officials. She was highly regarded amongst her peers in the field of accounting. Dorothy was a charter member and continued as an active member of the Navy League of the United States in Nevada.

When Dorothy and Jack moved to Las Vegas, Robert Clifton joined the United States Air Force and advanced to the rank of Major. While serving in Germany he met and married his lovely wife, Sieglinde.

Proceeding in death were Dorothy’s parents, Everett and Jean Baker; a sister, Mildred Baker Moore; Keith Jack Rudd, husband; and stepsons: Robert Clifton Payne, John A. Rudd, and James Rudd.

Dorothy is survived by James B. (Christina) Moore, nephew, of Grand Junction, Colorado; James D. Moore, brother-in-law, husband of deceased sister, Mildred Baker Moore, of Grand Junction, Colorado; Sieglinda Payne, wife of deceased stepson, Robert Clifton Payne, of O’Fallon, Illinois; Joel S. (Marilyn) Rudd, stepson, of Seattle, Washington; grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A Memorial Service is pending for a later date in Las Vegas. Inurnment will be located at Palm Memorial Park Cemetery.

Arrangements under the direction of Martin Mortuary, Grand Junction, CO.