Ken Dudley

Kenneth Ambert Dudley, 82, of Mexico, died at 9:16 p.m., Friday, March 12, 2010 at his home.

Funeral services will be Thursday at 11:30 a.m. at Pickering Funeral Home with Father John Schmitz officiating. Visitation will be Thursday from 10 a.m. until service time. Burial with military honors will be in Columbia Cemetery.

Mr. Dudley was born on February 15, 1928, in Boone County where he was raised. In 1977, in Mexico, he married Joyce Frieden who survives at the home.

Ken was a veteran, having served in the U.S. Marines. For many years he was an owner, operator, and manager of farms in Boone County. Ken was continuously active in Republican politics and was an early organizerfor the Boone County Republican Committee. He was a member of the Cosmo Breakfast Club and Pachyderm Club. He was also owner and operator of Dudley Reality from 1973 until 2007.

In addition to his wife, Joyce, survivors include his stepfather, Euel Hammett, Odessa, Texas; three sons, Ken Kit Dudley and Bruce Dudley, both of Houston, Texas, and Phillip Dudley, Atlanta, Ga.; three daughters, Justine Dudley Albree, Atlanta, Terry Beauchamp and husband Pat, Mexico, and Kim Adams and husband Donald, Columbia; one brother, Rodger Dudley, Independence; six grandchildren, Alyssa and Britta Thielemann, Hannah and Jacob Dudley, Sydney Beauchamp and Nick Adams; one great grandchild, Ashton Adams; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother Fannie C. Hammett; his father, Harold Dudley; and one grandson, Spencer Beauchamp.

Memorials may be given to St. Brendan s Catholic School. They may be sent in care of Pickering Funeral Home, 403 N. Western, Mexico, MO 65265.