Obit of Eastman, Rudolph "Rudy" - McCurtain County, Oklahoma Submitted by: Gene Phillips 05 Oct 2008 Return to McCurtain County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/mccurtain/mccurtai.htm ===================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ===================================================================== ::NOT LISTED Eastman, Rudolph "Rudy" 1944 - 2005 Rudolph "Rudy" Eastman, 60, a retired FWISD teacher and founder of Jubilee Theatre, died peacefully Tuesday, May 31, 2005, at his home. Service: The memorial celebration will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Round-Up Inn in the Amon G. Carter Jr. Exhibits Hall, 3400 Burnett-Tandy Drive, in Will Rogers Memorial Center, Burial: Private. Memorials: Mr. Eastman's family respectfully suggests that memorial contributions be made in his name to Jubilee Theatre. A native of Tom, Okla., Rudy was born July 27, 1944, the son of Homer and Velaska Eastman. In 1972, he married his wife of 33 years, Marian Johnson Eastman. Rudy, a graduate of Booker T. Washington High in Tulsa, Okla., received his BA from historic Paul Quinn College in Waco and took postgraduate studies at the University of North Texas, Denton. Mr. Eastman began his teaching career in 1966 at Como Middle School in Fort Worth. He later taught at O.D. Wyatt High School, Handley 6th Grade Center and Dunbar High School. During his teaching years, his students often received outstanding recognitions in UIL theater arts competitions. Mr. Eastman's professional theater career began as a founding member of Fort Worth's Sojourner Truth Players in 1972. It was there he met his future wife, Marian. Together, they formed Jubilee Theatre on June 19, 1981, along with long-term supporters who shared Rudy's vision of presenting the African-American experience with pride and joy. Through the years, Mr. Eastman and Jubilee Theatre have built a loyal following in the North Texas and Southwest regions. Survivors: Wife, Marian Johnson Eastman; father, Homer Eastman and brother, Oliver Eastman, of Fort Worth; brother, Kenneth L. Eastman, Ph.D. (Tommy) of Atlanta; uncle, Arnett Cole of Houston; aunts, Dora Walker of Broken Bow, Okla., and Tina Betts of LeMore, Calif.; sister-in-law, Charlesetta Harris; nephew, Jason Eric Hooper; great- nephews, Jayson, Darrius and Cedric Hooper and special great-nephew, Marquis R. Hooper, all of Fort Worth; Jubilee Theatre -- its staff, board of directors, patrons, members and family; and a host of relatives, neighbors and friends. Published in the Star-Telegram on 6/2/2005. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to McCurtain Archives http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/mccurtain/mccurtai.htm