Thomas E Rudolph

Born into the upcoming depression, a challenging time for a challenging and inquisitive youth, Tom Rudolph would find focus, vision and compassion in a lifetime of educating hundreds if not thousands of youths within the Atlanta Public School system.

Dad died March 23, 2025 peacefully in his sleep at the age of 96. He was born September 2, 1928 in Evanston, Illinois to Edwin and Josephine Gore Rudolph, both of whom were educators in the very same school system that dad spent his entire 40-year career. Josephine rode the train from Atlanta to Chicago where her mother would assist with the birth of Josephines first child. Since dad only spent his first 6 weeks in Illinois, he still claimed to be a true “southerner”.

Dad began his scholastic journey at The Georgia Military Academy (GMA), of which he spoke fondly in his later years. He excelled at his studies and used his athletic gifts to run track on the old cinders. His younger brother Bill was a much faster swimmer, so dad decided to focus his skills around the water from the one- and three-meter diving boards, with the coach taking him to the pool at Stegman Hall/UGA during the mid-1940's.

It was during this time also that others noticed he was gifted with a beautiful tenor voice and began vocal lessons with Walter Herbert, the Music director at Georgia Tech.

After GMA, dad went on to study at The University of Georgia, graduating with a Bachelor of Education in 1950.

That next summer, dad was recruited by Walter Herbert to perform as the dapper featured soloist with a group of dancers/performers at a USO type program for the troops during the Korean War. They travelled by plane from Anchorage to the Aleutian Islands in and around the North Pacific. This is where he met the most beautiful ballerina his eyes had rested upon. After the first night’s performance, before travelling to the next military base, he literally had to use his track skills to outsprint another man to the plane seat beside Phyllis Kritzler, his future bride.

Dad began his teaching career that fall while pursuing a Master’s Degree in education from Emory University. He would later earn a doctorate in Education from Nova University. Dad’s first teaching job was in 1950 at Mary Lin School in West End Atlanta, while mom’s rigorous demands of owning and operating two dance studios on the south side of Atlanta, kept their lives independently busy.

With a steady but frugal teacher’s salary in 1952, love determined that dad the singer, would marry Phyllis Kritzler, the ballerina from New York City, at Sacred Heart church in Atlanta on June 17.

Dad remained committed to educating Atlanta's youth for 40 years before retiring in 1990. During his tenure with Atlanta Public Schools, he was promoted from teaching to his first Principal position at Peeples Street Elementary in West End. He was fortunate to serve as Principal at Ed S. Cook and Dean Rusk Elementary schools before moving into Administration at the Area One Office. There he worked in Research and Evaluation and represented District One as Assistant Area Superintendent.

After retiring, dad volunteered for St. Vincent de Paul for many years, worked as a gardener at the Atlanta Zoo and maintained his vim and vigor by competing in the Senior Olympics swimming program collecting bling while travelling with mom always at poolside.

Throughout the years, dad always remained committed to his faith by helping mom in nurturing his children through the Catholic church, providing his time and talent in the music ministry and praying every night for not just his family but for others. Dad led the church in song with a conductor's baton in hand at Saints Peter and Paul Church in Decatur. Later, he and mom were some of the founding members of Corpus Christi Church in Stone Mountain and found fulfillment in many activities with fellow parishioners. He was a “good and faithful servant" his entire adult life and it showed in his interactions with his family, his friends, and his co-workers.

Dad led a life of giving, teaching and nurturing others. Even near the end, when discomfort was apparent, he still resolved to show compassion, offer a kind word, or recognize the importance of greetings and salutations.

A special thank you to all of the staff at The Landing Senior Living of Winder where dad made many friends and to Agape Hospice for his comfort during the final days. Because of the love and care they all provided, he transitioned from his home at the Landing to his forever home with mom and our Lord, Jesus Christ, singing and dancing for the joy of all in attendance!

Survivors include his children: daughter, Laura Smith of Orlando, FL; daughter and son-in-law Mary and Jeff Smith of Hoschton, GA. Sons and daughters-in-law Tom and Miffy Rudolph of Hoschton, GA and Philip and Jill Rudolph of Monroe, GA; as well as 10 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Preceding him in eternal salvation: wife- Phyllis K. Rudolph, daughter- Deborah McManus, infant great-granddaughter- Norah Rudolph, brother- Bill Rudolph.

Father Brian Lorei will be the presider at the Funeral Mass of celebration and remembrance at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 11, 2025 at St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic Church 5373 Wydella Rd. Lilburn, GA 30047. A gathering with family and friends will be available from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., prior to mass. There will be a reception from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. with light snacks in the reception hall of the church after mass.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests considering a gift in memory to St. Vincent de Paul c/o St. Stephen the Martyr Church; or any educational program of your choice.

Funeral arrangements for a private ceremony with immediate family by Arlington Memorial Park 201 Mt. Vernon Hwy. NW Sandy Springs, GA 3032