Jesse Rudolph

Jesse Joseph Rudolph, aka, Jesse James, passed away on Sunday, August 13, 2023, in Gulfport, Ms. 

He was preceded in death by his son Joseph Rudolph, his daughter Donna Rudolph, and a sister Donnie Papke.

Survivors include two daughters, Debbie L. Sharp, and Larissa Rudolph, his sisters Bonnie Killen and Bobbie Carter and her husband Terry, two brothers, Bill Killen and John Killen, four Grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. 

Jesse served in the U.S. Army, 11th Airborne Division and was honorably discharged in 1957. After the military he pursued a career in refrigeration.

He then moved his way up with Hobart (food equipment) utilizing his refrigeration skills that afforded him the experience to WOW his bosses and work his way up to owning his own company (see video of him telling this story after the photo collage).  He also dabbled in the restaurant business, Lobster Trap in Las Vegas.  He was a self-made man and excelled at anything he put his mind to. He was always larger than life and was the center of every room he was in.   Ultimately his passion became poker and he was well known in the poker community. He loved to travel the road in his RV and on his motorcycle. He especially enjoyed the beauty of nature and had visited most of the important sights in the United States. He was a wonderful story teller. His calm voice and engaging smile would draw you into what he was saying. He always knew what he wanted and was very good at anything he tried. He especially loved Golf and played up until his final few years. He was very charming and was loved by those who knew him and will be sorely missed. 

In lieu of flowers, the family would love to read a beautiful story you have of Jesse. Please feel free to write it in the tribute section below.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15^th Street, Gulfport is honored to serve the Jesse Joseph Rudolph family.