Mr. Donald Hugh Dudley, age 71 of Huntsville, passed away Saturday at home.  He was born in Mobile, AL to John and Erma (Coleman) Dudley.  Donald attended U.A.H. where he received his degree in Electrical Engineering.

Don was joyfully received into this world on August 11th 1945 to Erma Leon Coleman and John Earl Dudley. After graduating Huntsville High school he married his high school sweetheart and found his passion in electrical engineering attaining his double e (EE) at The University of Alabama in Huntsville. 

While torn between his other passion of teaching music at his guitar shop and running his computer repair and sales business, he arduously worked for Teledyne Brown.  Later after perfecting a motherboard for CAD Tech Inc he became Vice President of Engineering at CAD Tech.  Though his time was often limited to those dreaded "crunch times," he also, as a noted perfectionist, worked well into the night, if not all night to balance the books at the Early Learning Center which was the family-owned and operated daycare and private school.

The night would also find him frazzled but engaged, ruminating on the state of the world and its impact on the economy, and first and foremost what  past and future generations would leave our children's children.  Likewise Don work tirelessly for a friend, a co-worker, or colleague as well as served as a mentor - a role model - a hero for a close family member who is now known worldwide.

Don worked as an artisan who would carefully toil at even such seemingly minor projects such as flyers, designing layouts, and media presentations with such zeal that he had to be reminded by the true love of his life - his devoted wife Donna, to come and tell him "honey it's time to come to the dining room and eat."

He was preceded in death by his parents, half-brother Jack Dudley and half-sister, Mary Higgins.

Mr. Dudley is survived by his loving wife, Donna Kerr Dudley; daughter Denise Ann Harwell; sister Doris Dudley Wales, brother-in-law Jimmy Wales; two nephews, Jimmy Wales and Johnny Wales; and two nieces Dori Darby and DeeAnna VanReken; eight great-nieces and nephews, Kira Wales, Ada Wales, Jemima Wales, Korbin Helgesen, Karlie Helgesen, Karsyn Darby, Glenn Wales, and Annabel Wales

In closing, the primary lesson Don wanted people to learn as a true-hearted diagnostician, computer engineer and electrical engineer was first - correct your mistake and save your hard work -- before it gets deleted- and you find that your have made, for yourself, a very difficult space to fill.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Spry Funeral Home of Huntsville, where the family will receive friends Tuesday from 12:00 until 1:20pm.  Service will follow at 2:00pm at Maple Hill Cemetery, with Brother Peavy officiating.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Cancer Association. The family would also like to thank Hospice of the Valley for their outstanding care of Don during his illness.

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