Rudy Burrola

RICARDO RUDOLFO “RUDY”BURROLA (3/24/1951–9/14/2023) Ricardo Rudolfo “Rudy” Burrola passed away on September 14, 2023 in Lubbock, Texas. Please take a moment and shard a kind thought or memory with Rudy’s family at www.andersonbethany.com Services: There will be a viewing of Rudy Burrola at Anderson Bethany on Saturday, September 23, 2023 at 1pm to 4pm and Sunday, September 24, 2023 at 1pm to 4pm. Funeral services will be held at Grace Community Church on Monday, September 25th, 2023 at 11am with Rick Hale officiating. Interment will follow at South Park Cemetery. Reception will conclude the ceremony at the Roswell Civic Center at 3pm. Rudy was a loving husband, brother, son, grandpa, friend, and the best DAD to not only his sons but to the many kids from the Boys and Girls Club that he raised. Rudy Burrola, 72, of Roswell, NM, died in Lubbock, Texas, at UMC hospital surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, September 14, 2023. Rudy was born in Roswell, NM, on March 24, 1951, to Moises and Veronica Burrola. Rudy was one of six siblings, including the first set of triplets to be born in Roswell, NM. Rudy attended Flora Vista Elementary school, Mesa Middle School, and graduated from Goddard High School where he was a member of the 1967 state football championship team and the 1969 baseball state championship team. He also attended Eastern New Mexico University Portales where he studied physical education and business administration. Rudy met the love of his life, Mary Lou, in 1969, while attending Eastern New Mexico University Portales. They met while studying in the student union building. On his first date with Mary Lou, lifetime friend, Billy Pacheco, let Rudy borrow his car to take Mary Lou on their date, but before they could go, a few of their friends had to push start the car to and from their first date. On their date, he took her to Sonic; before they could order, he backed the car out and left. Years later, Mary Lou found out he didn’t have any money to buy what she wanted from Sonic. Mary Lou fondly remembers watching Rudy umpire at a baseball game of 5- and 6-year-olds at Styles Field; she remembered that a little boy who was up to bat was not standing at the plate correctly, and Rudy stopped the game and helped the little boy fix his stance and hold the bat correctly; on the very next pitch, the little boy got a hit. She could see that Rudy had a heart for kids and for sports and from that time on, she knew she had met the love of her life. Excited to start their new lives together, the two were married on December 19, 1971; they have been married for 52 wonderful years. They took many vacations, cruises, and trips all over the world together. Their love for each other was unconditional and will forever remain in their hearts. Rudy and Mary Lou planned to start a family of their own, and their children meant the world to them. Together, they had three sons: Moses “Dude”, Robert, and Chris. Rudy and Mary Lou were not only parents to their own children but parents to 600 to 700 other kids that attended the Boys and Girls Club. Over the years of working at the Club, Rudy and Mary Lou took kids into their home and raised them as their own. They were proud of Dude, Robert, and Chris, but they were also proud of kids they took in including Steve Horton, Joey Bedoya, and Mikey Matta and many other hundreds of kids that came to their house to eat and have as a second home. Rudy coached, mentored, raised, disciplined, and taught all these kids, including his own, how to be a real man and the important lessons in life. Hundreds of kids from the Club still admit that Rudy taught them these important lessons, and if it wasn’t for Rudy, they wouldn’t be who they are today. Ask any member of the Boys and Girls Club, and they will tell you that Rudy was their dad and coach and taught lessons in life that they will never forget. As for his children, he was proud of them as they grew up at the Club and became successful adults. Dude is a teacher and Head Boys Basketball Coach at Roswell High School; Robert continues to run the family business of CRM when Rudy retired; and Chris is a teacher and assistant boys basketball coach at Roswell High. Rudy was so proud of his kids and taught them how to play every sport imaginable. Rudy was a dad and father figure to hundreds of kids throughout our community, and seeing every one of these kids grow up to be a successful man shows how great of a father that Rudy was. Though Rudy loved coaching, sports, the Club, and his family, Rudy’s favorite role was that as a grandparent. He treasured his time with his grandkids most of all and loved being their “Grandpa”, never failing to be at their games, events, and have them over to visit and talk to them about how they were doing and still coach them on their performances they had at their games. Rudy would take time to go to all sporting events having to have a calendar made to make sure he made it to as many games as he could. Then on Sundays, he would talk to his grandkids about the mistakes they made or how they could perform better at their games. Dude and Denise’s children are Tarren, who will graduate from the University of the Southwest after playing basketball and golf; Taymon, who graduated from Otero College in Colorado with his associates and now attends USW to play baseball; and Trey, an 8th grader playing football, basketball, and baseball at Sierra Middle School. Robert and Anna’s children are Jeremiah, a freshman at New Mexico Military Institute and playing baseball for the Broncos; and Ezekiel, a sophomore basketball and cross country runner at Goddard High School. Chris and Crystal’s daughter is Alexxis, a junior volleyball and basketball player at Roswell High School. Rudy’s pride and joy were his grandchildren. Rudy and his friends were practically inseparable throughout their lives. From playing sports at Goddard High School, to traveling on vacations, working with people in the community, he had so many friends it is hard to name them all. You really couldn’t call anyone his friends but more like family. He had so many people that cared about him and checked on him constantly. His friends and teammates from Goddard High School, the members and workers of the Roswell Boys and Girls Club, the many friends that he swam with at NMMI and Roswell Recreational Center, the friends he played racquetball with, and the many family members who were not only family but his best friends as well. He had five siblings through the Burrola family; he viewed Mary Lou’s family not as in-laws but as his own brothers and sisters. All of these people are so special to Rudy, and he was so special to them as well. Bobby and Carol Carroll were his longtime friends from high school, and they remained very close friends Rudy’s entire life. The community of Roswell and all the people that knew him would consider Rudy as their friend and he in turn would do the same. Rudy started his first job at Glovers Packing Company while attending school and playing sports. After graduation and attending ENMU Portales, he moved back to Roswell where he became the executive director of the Roswell Boys and Girls Club; he ran the club for 25 years. After he retired from the Boys and Girls Club, he started his own business: CRM Discount Awards and Sports. He retired from his business a few years ago to become a full time Grandpa where he loved to watch his grandkids play their games. Rudy’s greatest accomplishments were the many kids that he raised throughout the years and impacting so many kids during his tenure at the Club. There are many memories of the kids at the Club that many have shared throughout the years. He was most proud of the kids that came back many years later as adults that told Rudy how he turned them into MEN: Men that raised their kids the way Rudy did when they were younger. Rudy made a difference not only at the Club but also starting the Roswell Youth Football League. He also ran Eastside Little League for many years. He was a racquetball instructor the ENMU-Roswell where he influenced many students to learn the game of racquetball. He was a part of many community organizations and helped many people in our community. Rudy was an active member of Grace Community Church devoting his time to serve God and his community. Rudy served as a greeter and served the church to the best of his ability. He enjoyed going to church every Sunday and loved the music and services. Rudy found God before his passing and is now with the Lord. Rudy loved playing sports; he was a great football and baseball player in high school. As an adult, he loved to play racquetball, softball, pickleball, swimming, skiing, camping, and riding motorcycles. Not many people knew, but he was amazing on the trampoline and at tumbling. Many kids at the Club would stand in amazement watching Rudy would do flips on the trampoline. Rudy was one of the best racquetball players in the state and started racquetball here in Roswell hosting tournaments and traveling across the country playing and taking his kids to go play. He played softball on the Raiders and used to win softball tournaments all over the state. He took youth football and cheerleading teams to the National Youth Football Championship tournaments in Las Vegas, Nevada. Rudy loved riding motorcycles in the mountains and camping with all of his family. Sports, kids, and helping others was Rudy’s purpose in life. He proved it every day by the raising of his own children and grandchildren, the many that he influenced at the Boys Club and the many adults that he still influenced to this day. Rudy will always be remembered for his big heart and the way that they helped everyone. Rudy was a great mentor to many in our community as well as a leader. We couldn’t have asked for a better husband, father, brother, mentor or leader, and we will all miss Rudy every day. Rudy’s memory will live on in the hearts of all those who loved him. Rudy was a large man but will always be larger than life. Rudy was preceded in death by parents Moises and Veronica Burrola, sister Luisita Burrola; in-laws, Chon and Manuela Ramirez; niece, Mia Rae Lucero and Ava Marie Lucero; and sister-in-law, Angie Ramirez. He is survived by his wife Mary Lou Burrola; his sons Moses “Dude”, Robert and wife Anna, Chris, and Joey Bedoya; grandchildren Tarren, Taymon, Trey, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Alexxis, and Bridgette “Coconut” Bedoya; brothers and sisters, Raymond and Nancy Burrola, Rachel and Patricio Espinoza, Rita and Raymond Lucero, Robert and Jan Burrola, and Roy Burrola; Mary Lou’s family, Freddy and Terry Ramirez, Daniel and Debbie Ramirez, Frank Ramirez, Angie and Hernando Herrera, Jimmy and Joyce Ramirez, Helen and Mike Matta, Chon and Georgina Ramirez, and Victor and Rebecca Ramirez; he is also survived by numerous nephews and nieces. A special thanks to all those who have supported Rudy and his family. A very special thank you to all the staff at UMC Medical in Lubbock, Texas; the nurses that took care of Rudy, Yesenia Rodriguez, Wanda, and Derrick. Thank you to the staff at South Plains Rehabilitation Center: Amanda and Josh; to all the Intensive Care Unit team and doctors; and very special thank you to Victoria Orta. Pallbearers will be Rudy’s grandchildren Tarren, Taymon, Trey, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Alexxis Burrola and Joey Bedoya. Honorary Pallbearers – Raymond, Robert, and Roy Burrola, Fred, Frank, Daniel, Chon and Victor Ramirez, Bobby Carroll, Jay Gluck, Charlie Thompson, Bobby Dodson and Pete Blanco. In memory of Rudy donations may be made to the American Cancer Society – Hope Lodge in Lubbock Texas.

Rudy Burrola

March 24, 1951 - September 14, 2023