My Deepest condolences to the family.  Dudley was a very nice person and  Co-worker .  He sure is going to be missed.  I know God has a better place for him and where he is at he will be watching all his love ones.

the boys (and Dudley and Jeff) would all go to Dairy Queen and usually ended in a slumber party of 8 boys. The season ended with another Dairy Queen party where the boys were presented with basketball rings Dudley bought on his own for each player. The boys were OBSESSED. Ethan got an acrylic place and displays it with more pride than any other trophy he has. There’s great coaches for the super stars but there aren’t that many there for the non-athletes. Dudley was able to help Ethan see the fun and the pride in being on a team and enjoys participating in sports again. He’s truly changed our life. 

After Dudley walked Ethan on the field, Jeff thanked him. After talking he quickly realized Dudley and his fam were also from San Diego- Jeff text me so excited, “There ARE cool people in Sammamish!” My response, “LOL- it’s been 5 mins, how can you tell?” Jeff, “the shoes- he’s got some sweet shoes and he’s from San Diego, already got Mexican food recs.” Dudley quickly became Jeff’s first friend in Sammamish, and he thought Dudley was so cool. Before they took their bikes out one time Jeff had to go get new shoes, “I can’t let Dudley see me in New Balances!” 

We’ve only know the DeCastro family for about a year, but I owe so much to Dudley for helping me and my family adjust to our new home, and I (along with our Sammamish chosen family) we’ll be there to help @rosalyn and be there for the boys as much as we can. Roz- I have fallen in love with your family, and continue to be in awe at their support. Just know when they go home you still have your chosen family nearby. I hope you lean on us and our village to help however we can ❤️

Dudley was the best coach Ethan has ever had. We moved to Seattle (Sammamish to be exact) and pushed Ethan to play football- he refused until the night before football began- somehow he was signed up and headed to practice the next day. Ethan isn’t what I’d call a natural born superstar, and his anxiety kept him from playing a sport since before COVID and got freaked out and refused to walk through the gates to the field. Dudley saw Ethan struggling and nervous, came over and talked him into going onto the field. That moment changed the trajectory of our life in Seattle. Ethan wasn’t the best player on the field but he thrived on this team. 

Dudley’s son, Devin, was the only other 6th grader on the team and he and Ethan became fast friends. They both experienced firsts together- first time playing football, first day of school they both sat with the 7th grade players who took care of them, and now Ethan and Devin have built an amazing group of friends that are close-knit, and exactly what he needs in this stage in life. All because Dudley convinced him to play football. Ethan’s crew all signed up to play basketball together- the season was almost cancelled because there weren’t enough teams or coaches. Guess who stepped up? The season only happened because Dudley made it happen and coached the boys crazy crew, with Jeff as the assistant coach. The boys could actually care less about playing basketball- they showed up in Nike tech and all their swag- laughing and having a great time being on the court together as friends but really using the time for the after practice plan- somehow practice (continued)

Dudley and I at a Guillermo Halloween Party

Me, Dudley, and Rommel at my Grandma’s house doing a garage sale

Christmas party in Dec 2023 at the Buados home.

Making gingerbread houses at the YMCA in Dec 2019.

Dudley, Louie, and Ron at the Sammamish Farmer’s Market.

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Dudley Cruz DeCastro

November 1, 1976 – May 24, 2024

Glen Abbey Memorial Park & Mortuary

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