David Barker Dudley

David Barker Dudley, age 95, passed away at Friendship Village of Dublin on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. He was born in Columbus, Ohio on April 6, 1930 to R. Lewis and Virginia (Barker) Dudley.

David graduated from Grandview Heights High School in 1948, and from The Ohio State University in 1952 where he was a member of Delta Tau Delta and ROTC. On August 23, 1953 he married the former Susan Heath. They celebrated 71 years of marriage last August.

After graduating from OSU, he served two years in the United States Army in the Quartermaster Corps. After working as a salesman for M & R Dietetic Laboratories in Columbus, Dave and two colleagues founded L. K. Baker and Company, manufacturing food products for the food service industry. Dave served as Executive Vice President of L. K. Baker and Company from 1964 to 1981, and as Chief Executive Officer from 1981 until his retirement in 1989. After his retirement he assisted several businesses with payroll preparation and accounting, most especially Foxhaven Marina. He also served many years as treasurer for Hayden Falls Condominium Association.

Dave was elected to the City Council of Grandview Heights, where he served four consecutive terms from 1972-1986, serving as council president from 1980 – 1986. In 1986, as council president he succeeded to the office of Mayor of Grandview Heights and served in that role from 1986 to 1988.

Charity Newsies was always close to his heart from the time he joined in 1973. On Drive Day you would find him on the corner of Goodale and Grandview Ave. He served Charity Newsies as President, Chairman of the Board, Trustee, Drive Chairman and Financial Secretary. He was also passionate about Ohio State sports, holding season tickets to football and basketball for many years. Boating on Lake Erie was a special joy in his life. David’s family and friends have many happy memories of joining him on his boat, riding past the west basin islands or fishing for perch. 

Dave served as a director of the Food Industries Center at The Ohio State University and president of the Ohio Food Processors Association. As a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Marble Cliff, he served many years as an offering counter along with Susan.

David is survived by his wife Susan, daughters Karen (David) Nevergall and Ann (James) Millar, grandchildren Michael (Rachel) Nevergall, John (Emily) Nevergall, Erin (Alan) Barber, and Laura Millar, and great-grandchildren Caroline, Elliott and Leo Nevergall and Kayleigh and Josephine Barber.

David’s family will receive friends on Thursday, July 3 from 5pm to 7pm at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 5475 Brand Road, Dublin. A memorial service will be held at Chapel B, Union Cemetery, 3349 Olentangy River Road, at 10:30am on Saturday, July 5, the Rev. Tim Wrenn officiating. The family would like to thank the nurses and aides from Capital City Hospice and Friendship Village for their care and kindness. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in David’s memory to Charity Newsies or donor’s choice.

Arrangements have been handled by Deyo-Davis Funeral Home

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