Delmon Dudley
Puckett, 87
HARTLY - Delmon Dudley Puckett, always known as Dudley, was born on November 30, 1934. He passed away on January 24, 2022 at the Delaware Hospice facility in Milford, Delaware.
Although his parents and most of his siblings were from Laurel Fork, Va., Dudley was the last of thirteen children born to his parents and was born on Crows Nest Farm near Millington, Md. He spent much of his childhood living around Church Hill, Md. He left school in his early teens and began working. He worked in a number of jobs, but eventually ended up at Bolan Motors in Dover, Del. There he met his future wife, Pauline Donaldson, and his true love, a 1957 Ford Fairlane, always known as "The '57". He drove the '57 off the new car carrier and continued to drive it until recently. Dudley was a mechanic and worked at the Dover Ford dealership, Bolan Motors and later Winner Ford, for more than 45 years. He was a loyal Ford man who taught his daughters that Chev#$&et was a bad word, never to be spoken.
In 1957 Dudley was drafted into the Army and served two years. He was trained as a mechanic and was in Germany at the same time as Elvis, who he was thrilled to have seen twice.
Dudley married Pauline before heading to Germany and let her have the '57 while he was away. Soon after his return, Dudley and Pauline had two daughters, Kim and Kay, who they brought home in the '57. The '57 also took Kim and Kay to the church on their wedding days, and took him to Pauline's funeral in 2004.
Dudley was predeceased by his parents, Milam D. Puckett and Fannie J. Puckett; and eleven siblings; as well as his wife, Pauline.
Dudley is survived by one brother, Medford D. Puckett, and his wife Judy and their son Darrell. In addition, Dudley is survived by his daughters and their families: Kim Brockenbrough, her husband Bill and their daughter Lacey and Kay P. Schultz, her daughter Emily and Kay's loyal companion, Spenser Kelley, who ensured that Dudley had a warm fire in the winter and a running lawn mower in the summer, the two most important things to him the past few years.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, February 4, 2022 at Sharon Hills Memorial Park at 2928 Sharon Hill Rd., Dover, DE 19904. A celebration of life is being planned for Father's Day, June 19, at the Hartly Fire House. Those with classic cars are encouraged to attend with their cars.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963, www.delawarehospice.org
Letters of condolences may be sent to www.traderfh.com