Harold K. Dudley

Harold K. Dudley AUSTIN, Texas -- Harold Kenneth Dudley, former campaign manager and executive assistant to Governor Preston Smith, beloved for his insight, intelligence, good humor and helpful, generous spirit, died April 24th in Austin. He was 82.Harold was a graduate of Wichita Falls High School and served three years in the Navy before earning his degree from Midwestern State University, where he was later named a Distinguished Alumnus. He also earned a degree from the University of Colorado School of Advanced Management and received an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin.Harold got his professional start with the Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce, where he worked from 1954 to 1964. During that time, he successfully promoted what was then the largest bond issuance in the city's history.In 1965, Smith tapped Harold to run his ultimately successful campaign for lieutenant governor. Later, when Smith ran for governor in 1968, he selected Harold to be his campaign manager. Being successful once again, Harold managed the office of the new Governor Smith in 1969-70. The governor, lieutenant governor and speaker of the House selected Harold to study, create and develop the T...[more]

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s Drug Abuse Program to combat the emerging drug problem in Texas, for which he received wide commendation.Mickey Smith, son of Governor Smith and a key advisor and organizer in his fathers campaigns, remembered Harold as a great man who was greatly admired by those of us who knew him.?George Phenix, long-time publisher of the Texas Weekly political newsletter and former media director for the 1968 Smith gubernatorial campaign, recalled that Harold was unspoiled by politics. He preferred to think of it as government. Somehow through the campaigns, he managed to remain one of the kindest human beings you would ever want to meet.?Close friend and the press secretary during Smiths 1968 campaign, Jerry Conn, recalled being greeted every morning by Harolds hearty Howdy, Feller! Harolds down-home, unassuming personality sometimes concealed a sly sense of humor and a keen, well-informed intellect that was always a step ahead of every one else, particularly during that incredibly jam-packed, talent-filled and hard-fought 1968 Democratic primary.?Following his tenure in the governors office, Harold served as chairman and executive director of the then-Texas Employment Commission and then as assistant commissioner and administrator of the Business Management Division at the then-Texas Department of Human Resources. His work included overseeing a statewide audit of administrative activities, policy development, inventory management and providing support services for 12, 000 state employees.Among his civic roles, Harold chaired the Governor's Committee on Employment and the Handicapped, and served on both the South Texas Cultural Basin Commission and the state Committee for Development of Children and Youth.In retirement, Harold remained active in community causes and was known for his devotion to the Lord and his generous spirit. He loved growing vegetables on his farms in Travis and Bastrop counties, and derived great pleasure from giving them to friends and family. Although Harold was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease nine years ago, neither he nor his dedicated family ever let the disease rob him of his enjoyment of life. The disease helped reawaken Harolds love of song and dance. Harolds wife Frances fondly recalled how Harold would begin dancing or marching spontaneously, most often to music only he could hear, and it was useless to try to stop him until he was completely satisfied that the song was over.Harold was preceded in death by his mother, Vivian Morris Dudley, his father, Jesse L. Dudley, and his brother, Don Dudley. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Frances, their two sons, Tom Dudley of Austin and Tim Dudley of Boston; and by