James Emory Rudolph, Sr. , 87, of Havre de Grace, MD died Saturday, June 13, 2015, in his home, surrounded by family.

Born February 15, 1928, in Nashville, TN, he was the son of the late Royston R. Rudolph, Sr. and Baney Pearl Lewis Rudolph. He moved to Havre de Grace in 1956 to run the laboratory at Harford Memorial Hospital. He modernized the lab there before transferring to Maryland General Hospital in 1976, where he retired as a laboratory supervisor in the early 1990's. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, serving as a Hospital Corpsman on the U.S.S. Midway. He also served many roles in the Presbyterian Church of Havre de Grace, where he was a faithful elder, deacon and Sunday school teacher. He was also the driving force in the acquisition of land and construction of the Little League complex at Stancill Park. He was later inducted into the Havre de Grace Little League Hall of Fame.

He is survived by his five children and their spouses: Patricia R. Allingham of Havre de Grace, Cynthia R. and Roger Hartsfield of Clemmons, NC, James E. Rudolph, Jr. and Lynda Rudolph of Middletown, DE, Dr. W. Garry Rudolph and Catherine Rudolph of Charlotte, NC, and Peggy R. and Dr. Peter Downs of Louisa, VA, his 10 grandchildren, his 16 great-grandhildren, his brother Royston R. Rudolph, Jr. and his sister Mary R. Furr.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 64 years, Irene Goddin Rudolph, who died on November 11, 2013, his three brothers, Robert L. Rudolph, the Rev. Irving G. Rudolph, and William Kenneth Rudolph, and his granddaughter Sarah Catherine Rudolph.

The viewing will be on Monday, June 15, 2015 from 5pm-8pm at the Zellman Funeral Home,P.A. with the funeral service on Tuesday, June 16, 2015 at 11am at the Presbyterian Church of Havre de Grace. Donations in his name can be sent to Gilchrest Hospice and Senior Helpers.