Rudolph Benard Tholen III "Rudy", age 72 of Murphy, NC passed away on October 17, 2020.
Mr. Tholen was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, a 32-degree mason and a member of the Scottish Rites. He was a member of the Grand Lodge of Texas Mesquite NO. 928 and Hella Shriners of Garland, TX. He was born November 3, 1947 in Houston, Texas. Later the family moved to the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. After his military tour of duty, he began his career working with Southwestern Bell (AT&T) before moving on to various other companies (primarily in the NC/GA area) working in the telecommunication/fiber optics field as a project manager.
Devoted to a lifetime of learning his biggest love was teaching. He taught in the Dallas Community Junior College in TX, Wake Community Junior College in Raleigh, NC, Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico and several other school districts in the NC area as teacher/librarian before finishing at Hiwassee Dam High School.
He was preceded in death by his parents Rudolph Benard Tholen II and Lorraine Rita (Ouellette) Tholen and his brother Larry.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife Carol (Gabriel) Tholen; Gary Tholen and wife Elaine of Canton, TX; Fleurette Jackson and husband Otis of Norman, Oklahoma, Remy Tholen and wife Ann of Allen, TX; Yvonne Green and husband Kenny of Rattan, OK; and sister in law Arlene Tholen of Hugo, Oklahoma; his sons, Richard Tholen of Durham, NC; Rustin and wife Whitney and daughter Roxane of DFW area Texas; Stepdaughter, Rachel Cangemi of Woodstock, GA; Stepson, Christopher Hatfield of Jasper, GA; Grandchildren Dakota, Bryce, and Zoe of NC, Weston Hatfield of GA, Davynn Tholen of TX and Sophia Tholen of TX; included also are many nieces and nephews of OK and TX.
Services will be held at 1 pm, Saturday, October 31, 2020 at Townson-Rose Funeral Home in Murphy, NC. Due to Covid-19, the family asks that all who attend to please wear a mask. Military Honors will be conducted by the Veterans Organizations: V.F.W. Post #10222, Joe Miller Elkin American Legion Post #96 and D.A.V. Chapter #73 and American Legion Post #532 of Hayesville and V.F.W. Post #6812 Hayesville.
The family will receive friends from 3 pm- 5 pm on Friday, October 30, 2020 at Townson-Rose Funeral Home in Murphy.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Rudolph's memory to the local food bank at Food Distribution Center, Sparrow's Nest, First Baptist Church, 517 Hiwassee St, Murphy, NC 28906.
You may send tributes to the family at www.townson-rose.com
Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
You may send tributes to the family at
www.townson-rose.com
Sheridan Harley Dockery 
