John Allan Rudolph, Jr.

John A. Rudolph, Jr. passed away peacefully on October 29, 2024, at home surrounded by family. John was born December 8, 1958, in St. Petersburg, Florida to Allan and Eva Rudolph. He grew up cast netting mullet and catching sharks in Tampa Bay, setting the stage for what would be a lifelong passion with fishing. After graduating from St. Petersburg High School, John attended the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia where he served as Regimental Commander his senior year, graduating in 1980 and serving in the Army Reserves until his honorable discharge in 1991. Many of John’s Brother Rats have reached out to share memories of John’s years at VMI and those memories will be lovingly preserved for his children and grandchildren. John thought he wanted to be a doctor like his granddaddy, but his gift of gab and persuasive speech won over and he ended up at Wake Forest University School of Law in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. After graduating in 1984, he returned to Florida and enjoyed a successful law practice for over 30 years in Tallahassee. Friends and colleagues recall with fondness John’s characteristic bow ties that he wore and his passion for helping others less fortunate, whether that be through his legal practice or his strong Christian faith. To anyone who had the privilege of spending time with him and truly knowing him, John always took the time to get to know people. He made everyone feel seen and valued, leaving a lasting impact on all who crossed his path. Through his love, compassion, and the way he treated others, John’s influence will continue to echo well beyond his passing. John achieved many exemplary accolades in his professional life, for which he was very grateful; however, the most important one to him was on a personal level, being a Dad to his beloved twins, Nick and Mary Noelle. Their dedication and unwavering support of him is an amazing reflection of the love of children for their father. During the last two years of his life, John was cared for at home by Nick and his fiancée, Stephanie Magoufit. The sacrifices they made, both personally and professionally, to provide the best care possible for John, are to be commended. He knew he was loved by them. John is survived by his wife of 39 years, Rhesa Rudolph, children Nick Rudolph and Mary Noelle Rudolph, and grandchildren, Calla Reyes and Kylar Reyes, of Tallahassee, Florida; mother, Eva Rudolph and sister, Evan Livingston (Chris), of Cleveland, Ohio; and brother, Dr. Councill Rudolph of Winchester, Tennessee. He is also survived by sisters-in-law Tamra Shaw (Lowell) of Vilas, North Carolina, and Dr. Carol Fujiyoshi of Springhill, Tennessee; nephews Brandon Shaw (Alex) of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Collin Shaw of Seoul, South Korea, and Jack Livingston of Cleveland, Ohio; and nieces Ellie Livingston of Cleveland, Ohio and Eva Livingston of Chicago, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his father, Allan Rudolph of St. Petersburg, Florida and niece Sarah Rudolph of Winchester, Tennessee. A visitation and celebration of John’s life will take place Sunday, November 3 from 4:00-6:00 pm at Bevis Funeral Home, located at 200 John Knox Road, Tallahassee, FL 32303. To quote one of John’s many friends, “I’m sure if there’s a lake in heaven, he’s wetting a line and hoping to catch a good one. Tight lines John.” Rocky Bevis and Kelly Barber of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) are assisting the Rudolph family with their arrangements.

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John Allan Rudolph, Jr.

December 8, 1958 - October 29, 2024