On Saturday, June 22, 2024, surrounded by his loving wife and family, Mr. Dudley Rose peacefully left to be with the Lord. Born on Saturday, Sept. 18, 1937, Dudley’s life journey began humbly in the Kentucky mountains. He was the oldest of 10 children.
At the age of 18, he met Virginia, the one and only love of his life, and married her when she was just 16 years old. They spent almost 67 years married. One week after their marriage, Dudley left home and hitchhiked to Washington, D.C. to enlist in the U. S. Navy. After deploying overseas for a year, Dudley and Virginia relocated to Norfolk, where he served three more years. While in the Navy, Dudley learned mechanic skills, which would serve him well throughout his life.
After his service to his country, Dudley pursued work in marine mechanics and was professionally trained at Volvo. Dudley’s career in marine mechanics earned him the well-deserved nickname “The Boat Doctor.”
Dudley and Virginia lived in Hampton Roads until 1986, when they relocated to Vaucluse Shores on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. He found this little slice of heaven while visiting the Shore for duck hunting and fishing. He settled into a serene retirement, enjoying an Eastern Shore way of life that included ending every day with his best friend, Virginia, watching a Chesapeake Bay sunset.
Dudley is survived by his wife, Virginia, of Machipongo; his daughter, Connie Simpson (Barry), of Exmore; his daughter, Jeana Padon (Michael), of Virginia Beach; his son, Dudley Richard Rose (Amber), of Belle Haven; his grandchildren, Andria Hopson, Heidi Padgett, Georgia Hopson, Ryan Padon, Gabby Padon, (Dudley) Ridge Rose, Morgan Rose, and Jamie Logan. There are also great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren surviving Dudley.
Dudley was predeceased by his mother and father, Myrtle and Fletcher Rose. He was also predeceased by brothers, Frank, Crit, Ira, James, and Jim Rose; and sisters, Teena Jean Rose Tackett, Goldie Rose Belcher, Nellie Rose Branham, and Pearlie Rose.
A graveside service will be conducted Wednesday, June 26, at 2 p.m. at Johnson’s United Methodist Church Cemetery with the Rev. Curtis Lucy officiating.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.doughtyfuneralhome.com
Arrangements were made by Doughty Funeral Home in Exmore.
