Michael Rudderham

Michael Rudderham

July 15, 1938 – April 18, 2019

Mike passed away April 18, 2019 in the Moosehaven Health Care Center at

the age of 81.

He was born to Charles and Virginia Gordon on July 15, 1938 in Madison, WI.

After attending college, Mike joined the United States Coast Guard, where he served for 4 years.

Mike’s love of the water started young, and at the age of 12 he purchased his first boat, a 14’Carter-Craft plywood runabout. His father let him put an outboard   motor on the boat, which he named “Half Mine.”

Mike worked as a Marine surveyor for more than 40 years . During this time, his love of water skiing, led him to compete in ski tournaments, perform in ski shows with the famous Callaway Gardens Ski Team and Cypress Gardens.

Mike wrote a boating column for the Lakeside News keeping readers informed of boating trends and safe boating practices. He was known for signing off with “Practice Safe Boating” at the end of each column.

Mike became affiliated with the Loyal Order of Moose on October 1, 1982 when he joined Griffin, Georgia Lodge #1503. He received his Fellowship Degree on

September 26, 1998, and was a member of the 25 Club. Mike sponsored 49 members in his lifetime.

He loved his faithful companion, Cinnamon, a pretty female "dachshund.”

Mike was preceded in death by his wife Frances, on April 11, 2005.

He came to Moosehaven on June 5, 2018 where he resided for 10 months.

Mike is survived by his niece Kelly Bozeman of Naples FL., his loyal readers of the Lakeside News, Orange Park, FL., and his many friends at Moosehaven.