Obituary of Douglas Stanley Rudd

It is with deep sorrow that the family of Doug Rudd, 64, announces his death in the early morning of July 16th.  Doug was a strong and determined man, but never had a chance to fight the pancreatic cancer that swiftly took his life.

Doug was born to Jean and Gary Rudd on December 21, 1959, in Gridley, California.  “The shortest day of the year,” he enjoyed saying.  He was a proud Gridley Bulldog and an unselfish and fun-loving athlete.  “A one in a million kid,” his beloved football coach still says.  In 1978, Doug attended Cal Poly, SLO, pledged the Chi Chapter of the AGR agricultural fraternity, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanized agriculture, returning home to farm with his dad.  It was all he ever wanted to do.  Doug was a hard worker who others loved to work with.  He had a kind and generous heart, and he loved the land and his family, a dedicated son and brother.

Doug married his high school sweetheart Laura on July 25, 1981, and for 43 years they had a wonderful life together.  He was a loving and devoted husband and father who was deeply proud of their children.  There was great joy in being a grandfather. 

Doug found the time needed to make a difference in his community over the years.  He was a Little League coach, a founding member of the Gridley California Waterfowl Association chapter, and an early board member of Gridley Education Foundation, retiring in 2018.  He was a 1997 graduate of Agricultural Leadership Foundation Class 26, and past Butte County Farm Bureau president.  Doug joined the board of Red Top Rice Growers in 1995, serving as secretary-treasurer for 17 years before becoming its president in 2017, the position he held at the time of his death.  In all that he did, Doug was a problem solver who served with humility, integrity, and common sense.  He cared about doing the right thing for the right reasons.

Doug was a faithful friend.  A longtime member of both the Moose Lodge and the Monday Night Football club, he was always ready to lend a hand, especially if cooking was required.  Doug was a good cook and an avid outdoorsman.  He opened the Shovellers duck club, managing it for 40 years and hosting many traditional hunts and good meals. 

Doug is survived by Laura and their children, Shelley (Clayton Sakoda), Steven (Kelly), and Julie (Curtis Travioli), and his grandchildren Sophie and Theo Sakoda, and Quinn, Myer, and Hank Douglas Travioli.  He is also survived by his parents and brothers, David, Drew and Denny, and their families.

Doug’s family wishes to sincerely thank Angee and Kim from Colusa Medical Center Hospice for the care they so warmly gave Doug.  Even in the last weeks of his life, Doug charmed people wherever he went, with a twinkle in his eyes and kind and observational humor.  Smile when you think of Doug.  He will be forever loved and missed beyond measure.  Interment service will be held at the Gridley-Biggs Cemetery gazebo on Friday, September 13th at 10:00 a.m.  His life will be celebrated afterward on the family ranch where he lived, beginning at noon.

Arrangements entrusted to Gridley-Block Funeral Chapel.