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Rufus Stanley Stroud, 89, left his earthly home to be with his Heavenly Father Monday, March 25, 2002. He is survived by two sisters, Lucille Cox and Johnnie Gardener; his son, Edwin and his wife, Gwen and their three children, Brett, Russell and Brooke. He was preceded in death by his parents, John H. & Myrtle Stroud; his brother, Jim, as well as his first wife Stella and their eldest son, Don. He was blessed with a second family with his marriage to Zillah Stroud in 1986 and is survived by a son, David Hill; a daughter, Nina and her husband Bill Grizzard; he inherited 8 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren who loved him dearly and enjoyed his superb wit and his many poems and stories. He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Linda, from his second family. Born June 2, 1912, he often joked about being the same age as the State of New Mexico even though he was born in Robert Lee, Texas. After receiving his Masters Degree from NMSU, Rufus became foreman of the Los Poblanos Simms Ranch in Albuquerque for several years. Later hired by the Department of Agriculture, he spent time in Nigeria & Guatemala. Upon completing these tours, he became a Loan Officer for Farmers Home Administration until retirement in 1979. While living in Albuquerque from 1937 to 2000, Rufus was very active in the First Christian Church. He was a member of NARFE. Services will be held Thursday, 2:00 p.m., at First Christian Church, 10101 Montgomery NE, with Art Cordova and Bud Cavin officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park, 924 Menaul NE. Pallbearers will be John Driver, Russ Harrison, Tom Headley, Hunter Look, Lonnie Sturdivant and Norm Zeter. Honorary Pallbearer will be Dick Stansbury. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimers Association, 8100 Mountain Road NE, Ste 102, 87110. Arrangements by French Mortuary, 1111 University Blvd. NE.
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