Rudolph Matthews' Obituary
Funeral services for Rudolph Matthews, of Leesville, Louisiana will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 28th, at the Ellen Burr Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the Central Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, under the direction of Labby Memorial Funeral Home of Leesville.
Visitation will be held on Friday, August 28th from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at the church.
Rudolph Matthews was born on November 7, 1945 in Woodville, Mississippi, to the late Felicia Russ and Elmo Matthews. Rudolph was preceded in death by one brother Elmo Matthews, Jr. He is survived by siblings Myrtle Porter, Barbara Kelly, and Gail Matthews.
Rudolph spent his formative years in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he was an exemplary athlete excelling in baseball and track. His athletic prowess proved to be a precursor to a successful adult athletic career. Rudolph was subsequently awarded a baseball scholarship to Grambling State University.
In 1968, during a brief respite from college, Rudolph was drafted into the United States Army where he met his future wife. On April 3, 1970 he married Gloria Ann Hall. This union produced three children Angelita, Sonja, and Michael. Rudolph was also blessed with a fourth child, Shelia.
In 1971, Rudolph was recruited to be a member of the inaugural United States Olympic Team Handball team representing the United States in Munich, Germany. Rudolph famously scored the 1st goal for the United States from the backfield. He played in all five matches and scored ten goals.
The family moved throughout the U.S. finally settling in Fort Polk, Louisiana, in 1982 where he served the remainder of his military career.
The Lord called Rudolph home to rest on August 19, 2015.
Rudolph leaves as his legacy a wife: Gloria; son: Michael David; daughters: Angelita Denise, Sonja Lynette, Shelia Denise; four grandchildren: Brianna, Kendrick, Na’Riah, Damien; one great grandson: Jaden; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends who loved him dearly.
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