Reed Dudley

Thomas Reed Dudley Sr., of Potosi, MO was born on April 26, 1938, a son of the late James Norvel “Red” Dudley and the late Mabel (Turnbough) Dudley. On January 1, 1956, Reed was united in marriage to Melba Ruth (Todd) Dudley.
Reed entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, February 5, 2019 at Mercy South Hospital in St. Louis, surrounded by his family whom he dearly loved, having reached the age of eighty years, nine months and nineteen days.
Reed will be missed by all who knew and loved him including not only his wife, but his two sons; Thomas Reed “T.R.” Dudley Jr. and wife Lisa Marie (Morgan) Dudley of Potosi, MO, Larry Dudley and significant other Cindy Whitman of Wildwood, MO, one grandson; Cameron Alan Dudley and wife Caity (Bone) Dudley of Potosi, MO, one granddaughter; Ella Marie Dudley of Potosi, MO, five great grandchildren; Amory Ryan Dudley, Atlas Reed Dudley, Ambellina Pamela Dudley, Zane Joseph Blount and Camden Davis Jaskulske, all of Potosi, MO, five sisters-in-law; Freda Maxwell of Caledonia, MO, Marilyn Sadler of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Sue Battreal and husband Richard of Irondale, MO, Mary Todd of Potosi, MO, Judy Todd of Mineral Point, MO, two brothers-in-law; Dale Todd of Imperial, MO, Bill Todd and wife Barbara of Imperial, MO; also surviving are many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
In addition to his parents, Reed was also preceded in death by his step-sister, Myrtle (Bass) Adams, two uncles; Albert Turnbough and wife Alice, Willie “Buzz” Turnbough and wife Emmy, father and mother-in-law; Francis “Frank” and Lillie Todd, one daughter-in-law; Pamela (Bowles) Dudley; five brothers-in-law; Bob Doty and wife Billie Mary, Bill Maxwell, Martin Dale Sadler, Clyde “Shorty” Scott, Francis Otis “Dusty” Todd and two sisters-in-law; Joanne Scott and Naomi Todd.
Reed worked for many years at Pea Ridge Mine and was also employed as a mechanic at various locations throughout the years. He also co-owned and operated a motorcycle shop with the late Ray Bohannon called B&D Bultaco. He was an avid racecar fan and drove a stock car and a sprint car for many years including local tracks not only in Potosi, of which he won the track Championship, but also Bismarck, Farmington, Fredericktown, St. Marys, Hillsboro, St. Charles, Belleville and Godfrey, Illinois. He also raced at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia.
Reed was additionally a motorcycle enthusiast having raced locally in the Busted Piston Enduro for which he won first in his class and the international six-day trials for which he qualified. He also participated in various hill climbs, poker runs and demolition derbies. He was a member of the American Motorcycle Association. He loved watching and attending any type of racing including, Indy Car, NASCAR, USAC Silver Crown, Midget and Sprint Car events. He enjoyed watching any type of sporting event including his beloved St. Louis Cardinals of which he attended many games throughout the years.

Memorials may be made to the Pam Dudley Center.