Mr. Sherwood Ray Dudley, of Clinton, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at the age of 86, after an extensive illness. To honor his wishes, a modest graveside service with military honors was held at 3:30 pm, Sunday, December 8, 2024, at Grandview Memorial Gardens Cemetery, with Rev. Katherine Rives officiating. Sherwood, born August 31, 1938 in Sampson County, was the son of the late Henry Stephen Dudley- a former Sampson County Sherriff Deputy, and Brilla Farmer Dudley- a homemaker and mother of six children. An honorably discharged veteran of the United States Army, he spent most of his service time stationed in Japan before returning home to Clinton to marry his sweetheart. Together they were blessed with three children, and Sherwood’s family was everything to him. The family frequented the N.C. beaches and Sherwood’s personal favorite, the N.C. Blue Ridge Mountains, where they spent many family vacations together. Sherwood was a talented mechanic and that lead to his career with the Sampson County Schools Bus Garage, where he kept the buses of Clinton City Schools and Sampson County Schools running safely for 30 years. He retired from Sampson County Schools in 1996. When he was not at work, Sherwood could be found deer hunting as a member of the Tomahawk Hunting Club, riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle, fishing and boating, working on automobiles, helping friends with their farms, and playing golf. Sherwood had many enjoyable years of retirement. He remained very active around the home, and with his family, friends, and hobbies until the time of his illness. He attended Bethesda Assembly of God prior to his illness. Sherwood is survived by his wife of 64 years and the love of his life, Kate Street Dudley; three children, Donnie Ray Dudley of Clinton, Phyllis Kay Gaddy and husband Marty of Fayetteville, and Lisa Dudley Spell and husband Chuck of Clinton; three grandchildren, Katie Dudley Alaimo, Nicole Spell and Austin Spell; three brothers and two sisters, Velma Stansell of Elizabethton, TN, Henry Dudley of Salemburg, Jerry Dudley of Lawton, OK, Roger Dudley of Smithfield, and Ilene Spell of Clinton. Arrangements are by Crumpler-Honeycutt Funeral Home, 118 Fayetteville Street, Clinton, NC 28328. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.crumplerhoneycutt.com. To honor Sherwood’s memory, the family recommends contributions be made to THE ALTZHEIMER ASSOCIATION to help with research and finding a cure for Dementia / Alzheimer’s. Online donations can be given at: www.alz.org Select: Get Involved; Tribute Page; and Search Tribute Page: Sherwood Ray Dudley.