Denver Leon Dudley

It is with great sadness that the family of Denver Leon Dudley (1945-2024) announces his very sudden passing on Saturday, June 15, 2024 (Father’s Day weekend), at the young age of 78.

Born and raised in Jonesboro, he overcame many obstacles and graduated from JHS in 1963 (state tennis champ) and ASU in 1967, where he won 2 business awards. He also was a member of the Sigma Pi Fraternity. He proudly served in Vietnam.

A lifelong Realtor, he worked for Coldwell Banker | Village Communities, so there is a high likelihood he sold you a home if you’re over the age of 50. He very much-loved spending time with his colleagues, who were more like family. Rather than answering to “Denver”, he was addressed as “007” at the office. Shortened to “00” if you were one of his closest friends. Although colleagues will have much more candy at their disposal, he will be deeply missed at the office.

Tennis was as essential to him as breathing; and he was a member of Ridgepointe Country Club and Three Oaks Racquet Club. He served as Captain of the 55+, 4.0 tennis team and qualified for the state tournament (remember, he was 78). He also was Captain of the 65+, 4.0 team, which won state last year. A couple of years ago, he notably represented the state of Arkansas in the 75+ in Georgia. Only 4-5 players from Arkansas, this honor was an invitation only event. His very close tennis family will deeply feel his loss, and will probably hit a losing streak. He was sure to brag to his kids that no matter how old he was, or how hot it was, he “played against guys half my age…how many other 78 year olds can say that?” His family is currently deciding where to display all of his tennis accolades.

His unwavering love for TV westerns, nature and history documentaries, Vietnam stories, Turner Classic Movies, chocolate, hot dogs, popcorn, the tennis channel, collecting books he usually didn’t read, the movie, “Shane”, stacks of papers, and “resting his eyes” spanned the decades.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Grady and Bertha Dudley, sister, Beverly Spratt of Mountain Home and brother-in-law, Bill Settles of Jonesboro/Mt Home. He is survived by his children, Sara Dudley Campbell (Nashville, TN), Claire Dudley Matthews (Brentwood), Michael Goodnight (wife, Seynas) (Jonesboro), and grandchildren Lillian Campbell, Paul Campbell, Graham Matthews, Eva Matthews, Shawn Goodnight and Elijah Goodnight; as well as his sister, Dolores Settles (Jonesboro/Mt. Home), and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is also survived by the mother of his girls, Susan Dudley, who still enjoyed co-parenting and grand-parenting together.

For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to USTA underserved kids tennis scholarship fund: All in Tennis, 2024 Arkansas Valley Dr. Suite 302, Little Rock, AR 72212.

Celebration of Life will be Friday, July 19, 2024 from 10:30 am - 12:30 pm at Ridgepointe Country Club, Room: The Pointe.