George Rudolph Huggs, Jr., was born August 17, 1950 to George and Elsie Todd Huggs. He passed from this life on Thursday, December 1, 2022. Rudy is survived by two sons, Anthony Huggs and Andrew Huggs; brother, Wendell Huggs; sister, Shelia (Greg) Renner all of Carlisle and granddaughter Destiney Huggs of Little Rock. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Elsie Huggs; sister, Glenda Cheryl Huggs; son, Michael Huggs and nephew, B.J. Billings.
Rudy believed in Jesus Christ as his Savior. He was a businessman from a very young age. He mowed yards and would take Shelia and Wendell to his aunt Evelyn’s so she could babysit them while he worked. Rudy bought his first gas station at age 17 while still in high school. His other Carlisle endeavors included the skating rink and a movie theater. Rudy bought several gas stations and motels over the years. He had video games in many arcades across several states for a time. He worked for Kmart management and he was a top representative for Tommy Hilfiger. Throughout his life he maintained a grueling work schedule and typically slept only 4 to 6 hours a night. Over the last few years, he had been driving for Lyft and Uber.
Funeral services for Rudy will be 2:00 P.M., Monday, December 5, 2022 at Immanuel Baptist Church in Carlisle. Visitation will be from 1:00 to 2:00 P.M., prior to the service. Interment will be in the Oakland Cemetery in De Valls Bluff.
I remember going to school with him but then lost touch. Prayers for the family
I am deeply saddened at Rudy’s untimely passing. Family, I don’t have the words to soothe you at this time. Rudy was 1 of 4 of us who hung out as best friends in CHS Band. He was the band Quartermaster which was the ticket to some real adventures, especially during band trips. Unfortunately, we lost touch in the late 70’s/early 80’s after I moved to Tennessee. Whoever wrote the obituary did a great job capturing the entrepreneur that was Rudy. I remember those early ventures very well – right down to the Chevy he bought for $12 and the yellow Diamond DX Ford. He was an absolutely amazing deal maker. Godspeed my friend. This world is worse off since last Thursday.
Thank you so much for this message. I kept thinking I should have written more. I just read this to his sister.
Great job.
Kat, thanks to you for sharing it with her. I know there must be a lot going on right now, as well as just the pure shock and grief of it all.
Cousin Rudy you will be truly missed, you were one of a kind. Shelia and Wendell will be taken care of. We love you, give all the family who went ahead of you a big hug and kiss. Til we meet again, RIP
I was always impressed with Rudy’s entrepreneur spirit. He was a cherished member of the class of 1968.
The whole city of Carlisle was in shock after hearing the tragic news of Rudy’s accident and death. I graduated with Rudy in 1968. He has always had a business mind set. And he sought out his dreams.
Wendell, Shelia, the boys and his entire family, I can image what y’all are going through at this time. Several years ago, I lost a brother-in-law in the exact same way and just a few miles apart.
Prayers for your family as you take one day at a time in your greiving process.
Rudy huggs was a phenomenal mentor to me. I met him when I was working at Mayflower food store in Carlisle in 1990. Rudy would come in and buy his parents groceries and always have a big roll of money in his front pocket. One day I asked him how he had all that money and he gave me his number and said call him sometime and he would tell me about business. And tell me about business he did! Rudy opened my eyes up to the world and taught me so so very much not just about business but also about life. Rudy and I went to a lot of video game auctions together and stayed in touch for all these years. I have thousands of memories and stories about Rudy, and I can tell you that 1 of the most important things in his life was when he was trying to adopt children here in Arkansas and in the United States and they were giving Rudy a hard time for being a man and wanting to be a single parent, so he adopted those awesome boys from Russia. I know for a fact Rudy is saved and in Heaven right now. Love you so much Rudy. See you one day in Heaven. Sincerely, Minor Forrest Booth
I, too, remember when Rudy bought that first gas station. I simply couldn’t believe a person so young could get that accomplished but he was a go getter for sure. My prayers are with the family. Our class of ’68 will miss him.
I’m so sorry to hear about the tragic loss of our Class of ’68 classmate, Rudy. He and I were in the band together all through high school. He was a drummer and I played clarinet. I know he was a great businessman and I wonder if he continued his love of music throughout his life. My condolences to his family.