James Rudolph Daye, affectionately known as Rudy, Daddy, Papa, Grandpa and Pop-Pop, was born on March 29, 1931 in the Elizabeth Quarters section of Tuscaloosa, Alabama to the late Bennie Day & Elizabeth Woods.  At the age of 12, Rudy moved with his mother to Brooklyn, New York where he attended Alexander Hamilton High School.  He quickly became childhood friends with Laura Harrell who would later become his adoring wife on April 22, 1950 until her passing in September 2002.  Together they had three beautiful children, Alan J. Daye, Douglas H. Daye, Sr. & Laura A. Daye. In his earlier years, Rudy drove trucks around the boroughs of New York and later worked for a Ford dealership honing his skills for his love of cars performing his own auto maintenance & gladly assisting others.  Later, Rudy joined the Mass Transit Authority (MTA) of New York as a conductor retiring in 1991.  Shortly after retirement, he moved to Ozark AL to care for his stepmother, Clara Day, until her passing.

To know Rudy is to LOVE Rudy.  He was a man of many talents and hobbies and when he wanted to learn something, he simply taught himself! Photography, computer systems and Lord the man could cook (when he wanted to)! Idle time was never a problem for him as he spent that time reading or watching westerns, enjoying good times with friends or tinkering with anything he could put his hands on.  Rudy loved to attend the Ethnic Dinner Club in Ozark that celebrated cuisine from different countries with his dear companion Jane. She devoted her days and nights caring for him and on May 8, 2024, God whispered in his ear to come to his heavenly home.

Rudy was preceded in death by his parents, Bennie Day & Elizabeth Woods, wife, Laura Daye, and son, Douglas H. Daye, Sr..

He leaves to cherish his good times and memories with, devoted companion Jane Matthews, Alan J. Daye, Laura A. Bruce (Howard), John R. Young, Stephen J. Lester, grandchildren – Douglas H. Daye, Jr., Emily J. Daye, Sarah Holland (Stephen) and Leonard James Bruce. In addition, Rudy leaves a host of cousins from Tuscaloosa & Daphne AL, and a multitude of other relatives and dear friends far and wide.