Eddie J. Dudley

Eddie J. Dudley, affectionately known as “Doc” to his colleagues and pharmacy customers, entered into his heavenly home Friday, February 23, 2018. He was born April 10, 1931 in Benton, Alabama and educated in the public schools of Lowndes County, Alabama. It was in June 1951 that he moved to Dayton, Ohio and was later drafted to the U. S. Army. He served in the Korean War until he was honorably discharged on September 10, 1954, and upon returning to Dayton he attended the University of Dayton and Ohio Northern University School of Pharmacy.

After graduating from Ohio Northern University School of Pharmacy in 1959, Eddie eventually opened Thrifty Pharmacy Inc. in 1962 at the intersection of Germantown and Broadway. For 40 years, Eddie was the longtime proprietor of Thrifty Pharmacy Inc. In 1988, Eddie relocated Thrifty to the intersection of Gettysburg and Hoover. Eddie retired from Walgreens in 2005. He was the owner and operator of Stop ‘N Shop Convenience Store which is also located in West Dayton. Eddie always had a strong passion to serve his family, community, church and customers. He will always be remembered for helping those that could not always afford their medications, and the family is truly thankful to those that faithfully patronized Thrifty Pharmacy Inc.

Eddie was a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Sigma Pi Phi Boule, Miami Valley Pharmaceutical Association, and a life member of the NAACP where he served as Treasurer. He was a founding member of both Gem City Medical, Dental and Pharmaceutical Society and G-Men.

Eddie was a devoted member of Mt. Enon Missionary Baptist Church for over 50 years.

Eddie was a man of many talents and hobbies. He enjoyed fishing at Lake Erie and spending time with his grandchildren, family and friends.

Early in life he found his true love, Ruth Ann Dudley, and they were joined in Holy Matrimony on January 6, 1961. To this blessed union, four children were born. They enjoyed 52 wonderful years of marriage.

Preceded in death by his wife, Ruth; mother, Leah Kate and father, Acie Dudley.

Eddie leaves to cherish his memory his children, Edward C. (Tracy), Anita K., Michael A. (Veronica), all of Dayton, and Denise of North Bergen, NJ; grandchildren, Renecha R., ReAnna L., and Cameron E., all of Dayton; sister, Lenora Wade of Dayton; nephews, Albert Dean Wade of Dayton and Anthony James (Jovita) Wade of Union, OH; special daughters, Benita (Lamont) Daniel of Trotwood, OH, Candice Speaks of Clayton, OH; a host of “special friends”, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Visitation 4-8 pm Friday, March 2, 2018 at the House of Wheat Funeral Home, 2107 N. Gettysburg Ave. Family will receive friends 6-8 pm. A celebration of life will be held 11 am Saturday, March 3, 2018 at Mt. Enon Missionary Baptist Church, 1501 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way. Rev. Cory J. Pruitt, officiating.

A special thanks to the caring medical and nursing staff of Hospice of Dayton and personal caregivers, Tori and LaDonya. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Dayton Chapter Special Olympics, 4130 Linden Ave., Suite 310, Dayton 45432.

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