Abbott, Rudyard C. "Rud" "Enter His gates with Thanksgiving and His courts with praise." Psalm 100:4 Rud Abbott entered God's heavenly gates on August 3rd, 2015. He continues the desire of his heart since he gave his life to his Jesus Christ, singing to his Lord in choirs and solo opportunities. Rudyard Carl Abbott was born on April 11, 1934 in Grand Rapids, the son of Larmon and Elizabeth Abbott and brother of Larry all who preceded him in death. Rud was 81 years at his passing following ten years of battling cancer. He fulfilled his goal of attending the wedding of his oldest granddaughter, Sarah Elizabeth, in California on April 12th of this year. Rud is survived by his loving wife, Jeannette, of 57 years, his sons, Stephen Myers, Mark Harrison, and David Elson, his Daughters-in-love (as he referred to them) Debbie and Marianne, and his grandchildren, Sarah and her husband Cameron, Eric, Evan, Andrew and Jennalynn, and niece Jane Strong and husband Larry. All had opportunities to say good-bye to Rud, reassuring him of their great love for him. Rud was born with music in his soul. Together with his best friend he wrote the class song for Creston High School. He played the trombone in a jazz band at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA, where he received a BA and met his wife Jeannette. He was a pianist, playing by ear and entertaining anywhere there was a piano or keyboard. He played at Clark Community where he and Jeannette have lived for 12 years, in Naples, Florida where they enjoyed community for 20 years during the winters, many churches here in Grand Rapids, and at home. In Naples, Rud became a hospital chaplain for ten years, a ministry he loved because he loved people and was a master communicator. Rud served in the ROTC and Reserves in Ft. Knox Kentucky before he and Jeannette were married. His professional career began in Virginia and then he returned to Grand Rapids where he was a salesman for Green Bay Packaging. His career was secondary to serving his church in Grand Rapids and Naples in multiple ways. He also served eight years on the East Grand Rapids School Board. This provided him the added joy of signing his son's high school diplomas. Rud was an over comer in his life including many multiple medical issues. He has had Victory in Jesus. Celebrate his life and this victory with him. The family will receive friends Wednesday at the Metcalf & Jonkhoff Funeral Home from 2-4 & 6-8pm and one hour prior to the service.The funeral service will be held 11:00 A.M. Thursday August 6, 2015 at the funeral home.
*Published in Grand Rapids Press Tues 4 Aug 2015
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