Rudy Dale Pauley, Jr., 71, of Alum Creek, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, at CAMC-Memorial, Charleston, WV. He was preceded in death by his father, Rudy D. Pauley, Sr., aunt, Patty Spaulding and her son, Kevin Miller, mother & father-in-law, Tom & Lois Stevens, sister-in-law, Linda Clark, niece, Kelly Curry, and great-nephew, Ian Frampton.
He earned his Doctorate in Leadership Studies from WVU, Educational Specialist Degree in Superintendency and MA Degree in Counseling from Marshall University. His undergraduate degree was from Liberty University, and he also attended Morris Harvey College and WV State College. He was a 1970 graduate of Duval High School. He often said that ‘people don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care’.
While employed by Marshall University he served as a Professor and Interim Dean and was Associate Vice President for Outreach & Continuing Studies when he retired. In 2002, Rudy was nationally recognized for his role in developing online learning in WV as the recipient of the national award for “Innovative Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Technology” and in 2005 he was the recipient of the MU-Dr. Carolyn Hunter Distinguished Faculty Service Award.
Before deciding to continue his education, he worked for BRIT Tire Company (family business), Tim Runyan Realty Company and Lincoln County Schools. He was an active member of the Alum Creek Lions Club. In his youth Dale attended Cobbs Creek Missionary Baptist Church and Camp Cowen. Dale loved to cook meals for family, friends and the Lions Club. During his life he had many different hobbies, but in retirement his fishing trips were special times.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 52 years, Beverly Joy Pauley, mother, Virginia Pauley and brother Rick (Yvonne) Pauley, Sod, WV. Sisters & Brothers-in-law, Gail (Randy) Curry of Alum Creek, WV, and Debbie (David) Bailey of Greer, SC, & T.R. “Tom” Stevens, (Linda Combs) of Charleston, WV.
Of all the titles he had, being called, “Uncle Dale” was his favorite. He is survived by nephews & nieces, Sarah (Jamie) Thompson, Alum Creek, Corey & Dawn Clark, Conover, NC, Kristin & Travis Halstead, Elkview, WV, Heath Curry, Alum Creek, Haley (David) Miles, Cape Town, South Africa, Leslie & Clyde McKnight, Hubert, NC, Rockne & Lauren Stevens, Dunbar, WV, and Olivia Stevens Beck & Brett, Nitro, WV, Joey (Jennifer) Bailey, & Adam Bailey of Greer, SC, and his Aunt Kay (Duke) Belcher, Satsuma, FL.
Great-Nephews & Great-Nieces, Sarah, Grant, Joshua “Sugar Bear”, Jacob, Luke, Colt, Kylie Joy, Caden, Gavin, Vivian, Fiona, Maverick, Belle, Taylor, Connor, Jakob, Noelle, Lily Joy, Bella and Asher, and many friends, family and wonderful neighbors.
Service will be 3:00pm Sunday, October 13, 2024, at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek, with Great-Nephew, Jakob Bailey officiating. Burial will follow at Lively Cemetery, Sod, WV.
Visitation will be from 1:00 – 3:00pm prior to the service at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alum Creek Lions Club, P.O. Box 224, Alum Creek, WV 25003.
Special thanks to CAMC – Medical Team Open Heart Recovery, who worked tirelessly on the front lines and behind the scenes.
Hugs and prayers to cousin Rudy and the family!!