CATO – Jeffrey T. Dudden, 57, of Cato, passed away peacefully after a long and courageous battle with cancer on October 17, 2024, surrounded by love. Born in Auburn on November 11, 1966, Jeff was the son of the late Arthur and Caro (Belknap) Dudden. He graduated from Skaneateles High School and went on to attend SUNY Morrisville College.
He was employed for many years at Pullens Truck Center as a Tow Operator and previously worked for Warren Trucking. Jeff, along with his father and nephew, built and flew model airplanes. He was a member of the AMA. His true passion, however, was the racetrack. Over the years, there wasn’t much he didn’t help with at the track. He tackled track maintenance, drove a school bus in the bus races, organized push
trucks, operated a tow truck, worked with track safety and was a tech inspector for the Patriot Sprint Tour. He just loved being out there, wherever he was needed the most.
Jeff is survived by his wife, Robin; his stepchildren: Brandon Kopp and Amanda Erbeck; his granddaughters: Natalie and Evelyn Erbeck; daughter, Kayla; his siblings: Jodie (Dennis) Morgan, John (Kathy) Dudden and Jane (Mike) Murphy; his nieces and nephews: Alex and Nick Morgan, Staci Marshall, Jordan Richichi and Kyle Murphy; along with several great nieces and nephews, whom he adored. Jeff also had a very special relationship with Taylar Smalling, Morgan Andrews and Cassie Swart.
Jeff’s family would like to thank the many wonderful doctors and nurses who cared for him as he fought his cancer battle, with a special thank you to Dr. Page in the ER and the nurses on Second Memorial (especially Julie Fritz and Crystal Pilat) at Auburn Community Hospital.
A graveside service for Jeff will be held on October 22, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. in Owasco Rural Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held on November 17, 2024 beginning at 1 p.m. at the Dirt Museum and Hall of Fame.
Donations in Jeff’s name may be made to the Dirt Museum and Hall of Fame, Weedsport NY.
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