Jim Dudley, retired College View pastor, dies

James (Jim) Dudley, retired, longtime pastor of College View Baptist Church in Mesa, died July 3. He was 78.

Dudley served as pastor of College View for 26 years, from 1987 to 2013. Prior to that, he was pastor of three churches in Missouri.

“My hero in the faith, like a spiritual father who taught me how to walk with God, how to preach, pastor, lead and so much more in ministry and life has left this world and gone on to his reward in glory where we have know doubt he has heard, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant,’” wrote Rob Gaschler, Christian Challenge campus missionary at the University of Arizona, on Facebook.

“He was my first pastor, my first supervisor, and long time mentor and friend,” Gaschler continued. “Jim was always available to visit and talk about anything and everything in the Christian life and pastoral ministry and I miss those times already.”

Byron Banta, founding pastor of Corona Baptist Church in Chandler, recalled his friendship with Dudley.

“Jim and I arrived in Arizona within a week of each other in 1987,” he said. “College View was the sponsoring church for Corona when we were a mission, so Jim and I were together a lot. At the partnership meetings, Jim was always wise, thoughtful and kind. We became friends immediately and remained friends across the years.”

Dudley is survived Lavina, his wife of almost 60 years; sons Mark and Scott (Theresa); six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two sisters and a brother.

A celebration of life was held at College View Baptist Church on Saturday, July 10. The family has requested in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or College View Baptist Church.