Thomas L. Dudman

Thomas L. Dudman, 89, passed away Jan. 5, 2011, in Las Vegas. He was born Jan. 9, 1921, in Joplin, Mo., to William J. and Edna O. Dudman. At the age of 10, he lost his mother to a serious illness. His mother's parents, Thomas and Angeline Moss raised him. At the age of 18, he left for California, working along the coast. He enlisted at 21 in the U.S. Navy and served until 1945, where he saw the world. He came to Las Vegas in 1961 working as a truck driver, which brought him to the Nevada Test Site. He retired in 1983. He liked to travel and enjoyed camping, fishing, water sports and hunting. He worked several years as camp host in Colorado. His favorite sports were baseball and football. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Jay. He is survived by his wife, of 44 years, Barbara; four sons and two daughters, Thomas, Michael, Timothy, Debra, Lourie and James (Lenise) Dudman; stepdaughter, Nellie (Ron) Hair; eight grandchildren, Carolyn (Chris) Norton, Tammy Dudman, Andrew (Damaris) Hair, Bronson, Garrett and Ethan Hair, McKade and Sage Dudman; and one great-grandson, Blake Harley. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 13, at Christ Lutheran Church, 111 N. Torrey Pines Drive.