Richard Lee Ludden

Richard Lee Ludden (February 28, 1931 – February 6, 2014) “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” His family and friends mourn the loss of Richard L. Ludden, 82, of Lawrenceville, GA, who went to be with the Lord on February 6, 2014. His death was precipitated by a traumatic head injury due to a fall. Richard Lee Ludden was born February 28, 1931 in Vinton, IA to Luella Swaim and Leon Lester Ludden. He married Eva Josephine Oren in 1950, and together they had four children: Lois Ruth, Mary Jean, Richard Lee, Jr. (deceased), and Janet Grace. Richard was a graduate of North Central Bible College in Minneapolis, MN. He also received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Upper Iowa University as well as a Master of Arts degree in Education from the University of Northern Iowa. An ordained minister, he served pastorates in Iowa and Illinois with the Assemblies of God and the United Methodist Church. After a long tenure as ninth-grade English and history teacher in the Waterloo, IA public school system, Richard retired. He and Eva moved to Lakeland, FL in 1998, and for several years served as volunteers in the offices of Pioneers International, a missions organization in Orlando. A man of many interests, Richard enjoyed playing golf and watching college football and basketball (“Go Iowa Hawkeyes”), fishing, challenging chess matches, and his brisk daily walks. He was an exceptionally gifted gospel pianist and guitar player, and thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his family and numerous friends. One of his many attributes was his great sense of humor, enjoyed immensely by family and friends who knew him well – and anybody who had just met him. Richard was known for his deep commitment to spiritual matters and he kept extensive journals of his private devotional life. He and his wife, Eva, were actively involved in community and church activities including plays, musical performances and holiday events. They also enjoyed extensive world travels. Richard’s life was one of service to others motivated by a deep love for each person. He was a significant financial supporter of Christian missionaries and outreach ministries, and an enthusiastic witness of his Christian faith. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Eva (2013), his parents, six sisters, four brothers, and his beloved son, Richard Lee, Jr. (1977). Richard is survived by daughter Lois Ruth Adkins (husband Darrel) and her children, Matthew and Andrea; daughter Mary Jean Brannon (husband Rod) and their sons Rudy, Richard, and Beau; daughter Janet Grace Ludden and her children, Eva, Wayne and Westin; great granddaughter Maleigha; one sister, Lois Trull, and numerous nieces and nephews. For all his many accomplishments in this life, none eclipse his great love for people. Whether it was for his family, his parishioners, his students in the classroom, his associates in the business world, his neighbors and friends – all who knew him have been greatly marked by his unwavering example of Christ’s love.