Anthony William Rudman

August 12, 1925 – August 6, 2010

Anthony William Rudman (Tony) passed peacefully from this life to the next on August 6, 2010, six days shy of his eighty-fifth birthday, after sustaining a fall outside his home upon returning from lunch, following one of his favorite activities, working at his company, Westates Theatres. Tony was born August 12, 1925 in Scofield, Utah to William Leopold Rudman and Catherine Elardo Rudman. Tony started working at the age of 12 when he began spending summers alone herding sheep in the mountains he loved. Tony left Scofield at age 15 to further his education at Wasatch Academy, where he paid for his tuition, books and lodging by arising at 4 a.m. to work as the breakfast cook. At the age of 17, Tony and 4 other Carbon County boys traveled to Price and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Together these Carbon boys fought in the first wave at Tarawa and Saipan. Tony received the Purple Heart for injuries sustained in the battle of Saipan, and Tony carried the shell fragments in both legs the remainder of his life. Tony then spent two years in hospitals in Hawaii and San Diego doing therapy for up to 14 hours a day in an effort to keep his legs, which he did. Tony was the only one of the Carbon boys to survive WW II, and Tony was known to say that every year after the war was gravy. Upon returning to Scofield, Tony worked for short periods in the mines and for the railroad but it was not until moving to Salt Lake that he found his lifelong love of work in the movie theatre business. Tony initially started in the movie business as a film runner, getting paid 25 dollars a week. Tony then went to work as a film buyer for RKO Pictures. Tony next started his own film buying and booking service, which eventually evolved in to Westates Theatres. Tony purchased his first movie theatre in 1958, which was the single screen Davis Drive Inn theatre in Layton, Utah. Over the next 52 years, Tony bought, sold, and operated theatres in Rawlins, Rock Springs, Green River, Evanston, and Jackson Hole, Wyoming; Page, Arizona; Elko, Ely and Mesquite, Nevada; Montpelier, Idaho; St. George, Cedar City, Salt Lake, Bountiful, Tooele, Layton, and Logan, Utah. Tony was a founding partner of Trolley Theatres, Cache Valley Amusement, The Rock Theatre Corporation, T T & S Entertainment and Westates Theatres. From humble beginnings Tony worked every day to become the largest independent theatre operator in the intermountain west, and Tony was proud to say he paid every bill on time and never missed a paycheck. Through his efforts, thousands of people were employed by Westates Theatres, but none of them ever out worked Tony. In addition to Westates Theatres, Scofield West was the other love of Tony’s life. Tony looked forward to the coming of spring when he could return to his cabin, horses, old Dodge truck, party barge, dances at the bowery, and many friends at Scofield West. Tony looked forward to the annual elk hunt in the fall. Tony loved to build and plant trees, and it was largely through Tony’s effort and generosity that hundreds of people each year are now able to bring their friends and families to Scofield West and enjoy the beauty of Scofield. In 1946, Tony married what he always called the best woman he ever met, Shirley Ernstsen, with whom he had two children, Shonnie Kay (Scott) Tornow and Tony Jay (Elizabeth) Rudman. Tony is survived by his children; 8 grandchildren, Michael, Mark, Jared and Derrick Tornow and William, Connor, Caroline and Kate Rudman; 11 great grandchildren; and his only sibling, his brother Joseph Rudman. In addition, Tony is survived by longtime companion, Leone (Nonie) Clyde. Tony was preceded in death by his parents, and his wife Shirley, who died over 46 years ago. A viewing will take place on Wednesday, August 11, between the hours of 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 South Highland Drive. A memorial service will take place on Tony’s 85th birthday, Thursday, August 12, at 9:00 a.m. at the Holladay Cinema 6 Theatre located at 1945 East Murray Holladay Road (4795 South). A graveside service will follow at noon at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.wasatchlawn.com.

Arrangements under the direction of Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, Salt Lake City, UT.