Dave Dudley, 77, Danbury, a former Stevens Point resident who had a 1960s hit record with the truck-driving song "Six Days on the Road," died Monday, Dec. 22, 2003, of an apparent heart attack.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home in Webster, with Pastor Deborah Stave officiating. Interment will be in Danbury Cemetery in Danbury, with Otis Taylor American Legion Post 96 providing military honors.
Mr. Dudley was born as Darwin David Pudraska on May 3, 1926, in Spencer, a son of the late Alex and Mildred (Plath) Pudraska.
He grew up in Stevens Point on the south side and was known as "Duddy" by playground friends.
He served in the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific during World War II.
After his discharge, he was signed by the New York Yankees and then shuffled to the Chicago White Sox, playing in the minor leagues in Texas.
He then returned to Stevens Point and worked for the Soo Line Railroad. After appearing as "The Texas Stranger" on WTWT radio (the forerunner of WSPT) in Stevens Point in the late 1940s, he began his musical career.
He took the stage name Dave Dudley and formed the Dave Dudley Trio in the early 1950s, with the band staying together for seven years. In 1960 he moved to Minnesota and formed the Country Gentleman.
In 1963 he introduced "Six Days on the Road," which became a hit on both the country and pop charts.
He continued performing, recording and traveling since then, achieving his greatest fame in recent years in Europe.
He was married to Marie Serkowski 25 years ago.
Survivors include his wife; and one sister, Frances (Gerald) Harder, Waupaca. He also has a number of cousins in the Portage County area.