Francis Peter Rudnicki, Jr. passed peacefully in his sleep at home on January 6, 2026 with family around him. He was born in the Ozark mountains on March 12, 1944 to Agnes and Francis Rudnicki. His father was career military and as a child, bounced around the world seeing all it's wonders. He always loved a good meal, a good game, a good story, and a good history fact.

Entering adulthood, he joined the army. After his service ended, he stopped to say hello to family in Vermont on has way back to California, and he never left. He attended Castle State College where he met his wife, Linda Bartlett. They both graduated as teachers and he spent the next 50 years being a teacher, a mentor, a coach, a parent, a grandparent or a grandpaw.

He impacted two and a half generations of children, whether they were related to him or not, instilling values of honesty, honor, being a good person, and always trying your best. Finally, don't mourn me. Just remember the good times and smile and laugh. He is survived by his wife, Linda Rudnicki; three children, Joel Rudnicki and daughter-in-law Amy Orvis, Jason Rudnicki, and Ginger Springer; and four grandchildren, Paige Parker, Chelsea Parker, Richard Parker, and Izzy.