Rudy Van Whitfield

Our beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend, Rudy Whitfield, peacefully transitioned to his heavenly home on May 11, 2026. Through his journey of 75 years, Rudy touched many lives with his joyous spirit, compassion, and unwavering faith in Jesus.

The eldest son of Clifford and Lona (Suggs) Whitfield, Rudy was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Although his family moved to Fort Worth, Texas, when he was a young child, Rudy always considered Arkansas his home. He spoke often and fondly of boyhood summer vacations spent at the Whitfield family farm near Benton, and he was overjoyed to move home to Arkansas to graduate from Benton High School and attend college.

A man of boundless creativity, Rudy could make anything with his hands. His love for building and making things began in childhood when he learned woodworking from his grandfather and home crafts from his grandmother. Encouragement from a high school teacher led Rudy to further develop his artistic talents. He pursued bachelor’s degree in fine art from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Rudy designed and built his home in Glen Rose, from the foundation to the rooftop, where he lived with his wife, Delana.

Rudy approached life with the wonder of a child, which is probably one of the reasons he was such an excellent teacher. He adored children, and the children in his life adored him. He taught art at the Arkansas School for the Deaf, but his art classes did not end with each school day nor the end of his twenty-plus year career. At home, he continued teaching his daughter, Meghan, and his nieces and nephews. No project or question was too big or too small for him to invest his time, energy, and talent to help.

Learning art with Rudy also meant learning about life. He freely shared his wisdom with those around him, mentoring many young people in the faith. Rudy treated everyone, especially children, with respect. He brought kindness and gentleness to difficult conversations, and he led by example. One of the greatest lessons he taught his daughter was this: Love is always, always the best choice.

Rudy loved to feed the people in his life. During his frequent illnesses, he spent time in the kitchen learning to recreate his favorite childhood foods, like his grandmother’s dinner rolls and her chicken and dumplings. His homemade dinner rolls became a family favorite at holiday gatherings. When he knew that someone enjoyed something that he made, he was sure to have it on hand. He loved his family and friends deeply, openly, and honestly. We know because he told us and because he showed us in the small ways that he made us feel cherished.

While we grieve our loss, we are comforted in knowing that Rudy spent his life serving Jesus. We look forward to that day when we are reunited with him and our savior in glory.

Rudy is survived by his wife of 50 years, Delana West Whitfield; daughter Meghan Whitfield and husband Anthony O’Brien; brother Don Whitfield and wife Vickie; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Lona (Suggs) Whitfield.

Rudy’s life will be celebrated at 1pm on Monday, May 18, 2026, at Life Church of Little Rock, 9415 Stagecoach Rd, Little Rock, AR. Interment will follow at 3pm at Forest Hills Cemetery in Alexander, AR. The family will receive friends at Life Church of Little Rock on Monday from 12pm – 1pm.