Rudolph James Reading, age 87, of New Castle, DE transitioned peacefully in his home on Friday, April 8, 2022. He was surrounded by his loving family, who will miss him dearly.

Rudy, (as he was affectionately called by all that knew him) was born on September 16, 1934, in Elkton, MD. He was the only child born to Annie Reading and James Harris. He received his education in the Cecil County Public School District. After graduating high school, he joined the United States Army in 1957 and served on active duty for 6 years. He continued his military service in the US Army Reserves until his retirement in the late 1970's.

While serving in the Army and stationed at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX; Rudy married the late Aurora Alva and from this union they had two sons, Keith and Kevin. He also raised two of Aurora's daughters as his own, Deborah and Sarah Mae.

In Rudy's early years he worked for the Board of Education in Brooklyn, NY. He later relocated his family from Brooklyn to New Castle, DE, where he was gainfully employed by the DP&L Power Plant in Edgemoore, DE. Rudy was a hard and dedicated worker for the company for more than twenty years and remained with them until his retirement in the late nineties.

Known for his "gift to gab," Rudy never met a stranger. He had a love for people and carrying on conversations with anyone willing to sit and chat for a while. He always had an interesting story to share. Especially ones about the old days of growing up in Chesapeake City, MD. The Reading family had an extensive history in the town that began in the 1800's. Rudy's stories of his military days and being a boxer while serving in the Army were some of the most interesting. To be a small man, his mouth was mighty and he would not hesitate to let you know that he could back it up with his fists.

Rudy also had a love of driving big cars. The bigger the better. Back then gas prices did not bother him. He would find joy in taking frequent late-night road trips back to Brooklyn and riding around Cecil County with his late cousin and best buddy, Petey Reading. You would be sure to find those two hanging out for breakfast at the local diners in town or just out and about visiting old friends and relatives. Rudy had a love for bowling and after retirement, spent many of his days cuttin-up with the fellas at the Bowlerama Bowling Lanes. He would often brag about his powerful swing and his high scores after bowling more than ten frames on any given day.

Pop-Pop, as he was called by his many grands and great-grands, loved to be surrounded by the kids.

Being a good Samaritan on one of his road trips to New York, Rudy found himself helping Anita and her daughter in distress out on the New Jersey Turnpike. Before getting them on their way, he didn't hesitate to get a phone number. He would soon after make even more trips back and forth from Delaware to Brooklyn, (leaving ole' Cousin Petey behind) as the two of them began courting and eventually falling in love. Rudy and Anita married in February of 2000.

Rudy is survived by his wife, Anita Jack-Reading of Brooklyn, NY; two sons, Keith Reading of New Castle, DE and Kevin Reading Sr. (Kimberly) of Middletown, DE; and two daughters, Deborah Alva of Chicago, IL, and Sarah Mae Reading of Baltimore, MD.

He also leaves to cherish his memory, five grandchildren, Kavon Reading, Kevin Reading II (Haley), Kwyncee Reading, Keisha Murray and Keith Murray; ten great-grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; stepchildren, Alston Jack and Alia Jack, both of Brooklyn, NY, Kenia Hawkins (Stephon), of Columbus, OH, and Monique Hall (Carlos) of Smyrna, DE; and their ten children. He will also be missed by his closest and dearest family friend and neighbor, who respectfully and unconditionally cared for him, Jenean Flippen and a host of other relatives and friends.