John Gordon "Rudy" Rudolph

John Gordon “Rudy” Rudolph, 88, of Dyersburg, Tennessee, died on Monday, September 22, 2025, at West Tennessee Healthcare-Dyersburg Hospital in Dyersburg, Tennessee.

He was a lifelong cattleman and respected leader in the agriculture industry, as well as a proud veteran of the U.S. Naval Reserve. John Gordon was born on May 24, 1937, in Dyer County, Tennessee, to the late Paul and Katie Johnson Rudolph. He graduated from Newbern High School and went on to earn his Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture from the University of Tennessee in 1963.

In 1997, John founded Rudolph Sales Management and Consultant Services, through which he continued to manage and consult on livestock sales across the country. After decades of dedication to the cattle industry, John retired and returned to his roots in Dyer County, where his journey began.

John was preceded in death by his father, Paul Rudolph, and his mother, Katie Evelyn Rudolph. He is survived by one son, Matthew Rudolph (Erin) of St Augustine, Florida; one stepdaughter, Loribeth Jinkins Dunn (Christopher Ray) of Nashville, Tennessee; and he was "Papaw" to his grandchildren, James Patrick Premo and Lorelei Neva Rudolph. 

Joint Celebration of Life services for Mr. Rudolph and his wife, Julia Johnson Rudolph, who died on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, will be held at 3:00 PM on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at the Newbern Methodist Church. Officiating this service will be Mr. Jerry Leach and Mr. David Via. Visitation will be held on Saturday from 2:00 PM until 3:00 PM at the Newbern Methodist Church.

A private burial will be held at Fairview Cemetery in Newbern, Tennessee.

Online condolences may be made to the family at johnson-williamsfuneralhome.com. Johnson-Williams Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of John Gordon Rudolph.

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