Sgt. Michael D. Rudd |
| Posted 2021-11-02 by mhenderson |
| Parker Funeral Home - Parker, Arizona >> Jul. 7, 1983 - Oct. 11, 2021 << Sgt. Michael D. Rudd was a man for whom actions would speak louder than words. The qualities of being fair and just and the ability to recognize what was right were clearly driving forces in Michael ’s life. He was analytical and observant, with an ability to be simultaneously spontaneous and keenly perceptive. Michael was modest in his actions, in his thoughts, and in the manner in which he communicated with others. When Michael said something, he meant it. All those who knew him appreciated this trademark quality. His parents were David Rudd - Father, the late Ken Abbott - Step-Father and Sheila Abbott - Mother. Michael was raised in Northern California. Even as a small child, Michael wanted to understand what was right and what was wrong in any given situation. As Michael grew older, he realized the importance of being treated fairly, and in return, he treated everyone around him the same way. This belief in fair play served Michael well throughout his life and he enjoyed a solid group of friends as a result. Since Michael sought to treat those around him with respect, he often found himself in the role of playing peacemaker within his family. He was comfortable in working through the types of sibling rivalry situations that quite often occur, because he loved the challenge of conflict resolution. He would look at the most reasonable and practical ways to settle any disputes. Michael was raised with five siblings. He had Jon Abbott, Candi Borrecco, Josh Boots, William Rudd and the late Tyler Abbott. Michael was constantly involved in activities with his siblings and was the brother everyone wishes they had. He played football in High School and in his spare time he liked to watch the 49ers, play video and board games, and go swimming. While growing up, some of his best friends were Bill Pharr, Pat Graves and the Late James Cobb. Later in life, he became friends with Peter Medal, Wes Akalski and Joe Lepre. Family and friends who were close to him knew that he had an amazing sense of humor and could find the good in any situation. Michael ’s good friends tended to be “thinkers” like himself. Even though the circle of close friends was somewhat small, it was a strong and loyal group, and Michael liked nothing better than to spend his free time with them. Michael was well known for always being up front and open and never hiding his true feelings; qualities that drew deep loyalty from his friends because they understood and appreciated him for the person he was. Another quality that people admired in Michael was his ability to link cause and effect and apply the appropriate connection in his assessment of any new situation. Michael was easily able to adapt to the changes and challenges of parenthood. He was blessed with six kids, Jasmine, Kayleen, Layla, MaryAnn, Zachary and Owen. Michael was never impulsive in dealing with family problems. Instead, he would carefully think things through before implementing the solution in a logical and objective manner. Michael was a strong, clear communicator who excelled at eliminating confusion by making matters crystal clear to all those involved. At the same time, Michael ’s inventive nature could turn some of the boring old household chores into a fun activity for the family. Michael met his wife Amanda during Red Ribbon Week in October of 2015. They quickly realized they were a great match for each other and had something special. Over the last six years, they built their family and life upon that initial solid foundation. They were engaged to be married in November of 2020, however due to unforeseen circumstances, their nuptials were unfortunately postponed. On October 3rd, 2021, Michael was able to marry the love of his life in front of his closest friends family in a beautiful ceremony in Prescott, Arizona. In his work life, Michael was the kind of person who had no difficulty in taking on a project and seeing it through to its completion, even if it took a long time to get there. He excelled at dealing with those pesky details that can derail some people, and once he understood exactly why he was working on a project, he could plow full steam ahead. For Michael, being able to grasp the logical components of any task was significant to him in appreciating its importance. Even if he worked alone on an assignment, Michael was able to incorporate and welcome new insights from co-workers, and he would readily use them if they improved the process. His primary occupation was Sergeant for the La Paz County Sheriff's Office, where was employed since 2013. Michael always made the effort to be a team player, doing what was necessary in order to get the job done. He strongly believed in the importance of improving his workcenter and caring for his coworkers. Michael was an Air Force and Arizona Army National Guard veteran. He understood his duty to serve his country and the importance of getting a job done. He was comfortable with the routines of the military, especially when it came to grasping the clear instructions and guidelines he was expected to follow. During his time in service, Michael deployed twice in support of the war in Iraq. Through his hard work and dedication, he achieved the rank of Sergeant and is well remembered by those he led and served with. He received several awards including a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Medal, Air Force Training Ribbon, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Iraq Campaign Medal w/ two campaign stars, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Global War Expeditionary Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon and Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/ M Device. His favorite pursuits were spending time with his family, backpacking, gardening and serving his community. His recreational sports included kayaking, hiking, repelling and pack rafting. He particularly enjoyed the camaraderie the time these activities provided him with both is friends and family. Michael was content to enjoy these activities alone but was also ecstatic to share his interests with others. Michael was an asset to any organization he joined. In many ways, he was a man of action who would rather tackle a job than spend time chatting about irrelevant things. He worked well on small committees and excelled at focusing on the important details without getting bogged down by the unnecessary parts of an assignment. If Michael believed in a cause or an idea, he was willing to work hard on its behalf. Religion and faith were important to him. He held dear the faith and values he derived from his beliefs. He was a member of Calvary Parker Campus. During that time, he was an active volunteer in numerous church and community events and activities to include being an active member of LifeGroup. Because he was a man who let his actions speak for themselves, Michael didn’t find it necessary to brag or boast. But it wasn’t always possible for him to conceal his accomplishments. Others who recognized his achievements made certain that he was honored for them. One of his most prestigious awards included a Medal of Valor from the La Paz County Sheriff's Office. Michael appreciated the occasions when he was able to travel and get away on a vacation. He enjoyed learning about different locales and was open to exploring new and different places. His favorite vacation activities included visiting and camping with family, vacationing in Iceland, and exploring the West Clear Creek Hanging Gardens. Michael was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. His family was rounded out by many many pets over the years. Michael passed away on October 11, 2021 at Palo Verde Hospital in Blythe, California while in the line of duty. He is survived by his spouse Amanda, his children, his mother and father and his four siblings. Michael strongly believed that talk is cheap. He was the type of person who would show others his feelings through his actions. He was practical and realistic but was able to be flexible when the need arose. He had a curiosity about the things around him and tried to experience life directly rather than sit back and talk about it. The experiences he treasured most were those he shared with his loved ones. Sgt. Michael D. Rudd will be greatly missed. |
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