Where Are They Now? John H Rudy On the first day of school in September of 1952, C.C. Jelks came in and wrote four large words on the black board: SMART PEOPLE PLAN AHEAD. For John Rudy, a 1953 graduate of Sand Springs High School, that simple phrase made a huge impact. “Since that moment,” Mr. Rudy said “that phrase has been one of my ideals.” Other Sandites who influenced Mr. Rudy include Clyde Boyd, Sr. and John Beck, who “had reputations for being two of the most supportive educators in Sand Springs.”
today need to focus on the people,” Mr. Rudy says. On June 24, 1961, Mr. Rudy and Elva Parris, who graduated from and taught English at Sand Springs High School, were married. Together they had four daughters who also graduated from Charles Page High School. The Rudys have been married for 60 years. “It’s been an enormous blessing,” Mr. Rudy said.
SMART PEOPLE PLAN AHEAD
“Since that moment, that
After Mr. Rudy graduated from Sand Springs phrase has been one of my High School, known now as Charles Page High School, he attended the University of Tulsa for ideals.” two years while working part-time at R-K Motors. During his junior year, Mr. Rudy transferred to the Eventually Mr. Rudy purchased the other half University of Oklahoma, but his father’s declining health prompted Mr. Rudy to return home to of R-K Motors from his father’s business partner, Glade Kirkpatrick, and later the business was sold assist with responsibilities at R-K Motors. to the Noller Automotive Group. Ultimately, John By age 21, Mr. Rudy was supervising 20 Rudy and his family - with help from the Sand employees at R-K motors, and soon after he Springs Chamber of Commerce, the City of Sand had finished and earned a degree in Business Springs, Tulsa Technology Center, and others Management and Marketing, he was working with sold the dealership’s property to Tulsa Technology R-K Motors full-time. Providing quality customer Center. The college’s Sand Springs campus is service was paramount for Mr. Rudy. “Car dealers thriving. 24 WeAreSandSprings.com | May 2020
