Newton (Ned) Ezekiel Dudney, M.D. died January 1, 2010 at 84 years of age. Born and raised in Magnolia, Arkansas, Ned came to Texas to attend the University of Texas, then UTMB Galveston. He completed his medical degree and married the love of his life, Fay, in 1949. After serving as commander of a Battalion Aid Station in Korea, he joined his good friend Harry K. Davis in family medical practice in League City in 1954. He once commented, he chose to open a family practice because he wanted to form long-term relationships with his patients. For fifty years, he served as family doctor to many grateful patients, some families across five generations.
Doctor Dudney, known for his bedside manner and diagnostic abilities, loved his patients and the practice of medicine. He served on the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners and received the Ashbel Smith Distinguished Alumnus Award from UTMB. His service as president on various county and medical organizations was frequent. He loved the outdoors – his gardening and weekly golf game were his getaway and rejuvenation time. Doctor Ned was most deeply touched by the rededication of the Dr. Ned and Fay Dudney Clear Creek Nature Park in April. In mid-December, Ned and Fay attended the planting of three oaks on the grounds of Galveston’s City Hall, replacement trees he urged the City of League City to donate as part of the recovery effort from Hurricane Ike.
With abundant enthusiasm for making his hometown and area a better place for everyone, he envisioned and joined others in their visions of creating cultural, environmental, medical, commercial, and governmental foundations enabling the Clear Lake Area to thrive. Known for his optimism, Ned was an enthusiastic colleague and supporter in the lives of many men and women who worked to guide the growth of this area. With these gifts for building strong coalitions, Ned was instrumental with others in the incorporation of League City, the founding of St. Christopher’s, the creation of Clear Lake Hospital, as well as the Clear Lake Economic Development Foundation, now the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership. His concern for quality of life and the environment led him to initiate early action to preserve the Clear Lake ecosystem.
Fay, his wife of 60 years, his son, Dr. Bob Carls Dudney, his daughters, Gretchen Stolfo and Vaness Hamilton, and his son-in-law, Martin E. Hamilton III, survive Dr. Dudney. He is the beloved uncle of many dear nieces and nephews. Of all his accomplishments, he was most proud of his seven granddaughters: Rebecca, Joan, Damara, Drew, Miranda, Katherine, and Sonia. Ned Dudney occupies a vibrant place in the hearts of his patients, friends, and family, for he was a warm and caring person whose concern for others was deep and genuine.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, January 7, 2010, at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, Highway 518 & St. Christopher’s Avenue in League City. Arrangements are with Crowder Funeral Home in Webster. The family welcomes stories of how Ned touched folk’s lives to be shared at http://drneddudney.blogspot.com/ In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to: the Dr. Ned Dudney Memorial Fund, UTMB Development Office, Administration Building, Suite 3.110, 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX 77555-0148, ATTN: Betsy Clardy; St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church Family Fund, P. O. Box 852, League City, TX 77574-0852 in memorial of Dr. Ned Dudney; the League City Patrons of the Park for the Dr. Ned and Fay Dudney Clear Creek Nature Center, 300 W. Walker, League City, TX, 77573; or the charity of one’s choice. The family extends many thanks for the care given to Ned by the medical community the Galveston Bay area, particularly Dr. Guru Sompavde and the staff of Deke Slayton Cancer Center.