Ernest Rudolph Foote

Ernest Rudolph Foote, "Rudy", passed away January 11, 2020 in Boise Idaho. He was born September 6, 1958 in Hialeah Florida to Barnard A. and Dorothy M. Foote. Rudy was the youngest of six siblings. Growing up in Florida, Rudy often recalled going into the citrus grove at the end of Grace Avenue, picking grapefruit and eating it right there amongst the trees. Rudy had aspirations of being a professional baseball player but had to settle with Adult softball leagues.

After graduating from Cocoa High School in 1976, Rudy joined the US Marine Corps where he traveled on board Navy ships to the Philippines, Guam, Saipan, Okinawa, and Korea. It was post-Vietnam and though it wasn't "war time", he stated there were still missions to carry out. He also had the honor of working at the National Security Agency, one of his favorite tours of duty in his military career. He separated from USMC in 1982, honorably discharged. He joined the Cocoa Army Guard reserve in 1982. He then had an honorable separation from the Army Guard in 1983.

In 1979 Rudy started at the Brevard County Sheriff’s Department thus starting his 38 years of community service in law enforcement. 1982 Rudy started with the Cocoa Police Department. He served as a uniformed Patrol officer, Motorcycle and homicide officer. Rudy came to Idaho in 1996 where he worked at Idaho Department of Corrections leading way to his employment at Elmore County Sheriff’s Department. Rudy retired from ECSO in January 2019 as a Sergeant of Detectives and was looking forward to a long and fun filled retirement. This plan was interrupted with the diagnosis of lung cancer, from asbestos exposure, in July 2019.

His greatest joys were his two daughters, Kimberly Rodriguez and Jennifer Venuto (Paul). The daughters blessed him with 3 granddaughters, Kristina and Summer Moore and Kinsley Rodriguez. He loved hearing from his girls, all of them, anytime, anywhere about anything. Rudy was very proud and protective of his young ladies.

Rudy met Betty April 2010; they were married April 2, 2011. They were two peas in a pod, a perfect match in every way. One was not complete without the other. They loved to be together where laughter came easy. Rudy and Betty loved the cabin in Cascade, Idaho it was their getaway, their sanctuary. They loved to pick huckleberries, walking down to the lake and going for rides up the mountain. Rudy loved the outdoors and hunting with his friend Tom. He was a wonderful chef, he loved to BBQ and smoke delicious food. He loved to share that food with his dear friends Tom and Tabbatha. Rudy looked forward to his lunches with Rich and Laytreda where they could laugh and reminisce over a good steak. Rudy cherished the relationships he was able to form with his step-sons Anthony (Mattison) and Damian D'Amato.

Rudy leaves behind the love of his life, his rock, his best friend of 10 years, Betty Foote, 3 sisters, Linda Simmons (Steve) of Utah, Amy Mayo from Georgia, Camille Gray and brother Andrew B. Foote (Jessica) from Florida, two daughters, Kimberly Rodriguez and Jennifer Venuto (Paul), three Granddaughters, Kristina and Summer Moore and Kinsley Rodriguez, two step-sons, Anthony (Mattison) and Damian D'Amato and many nieces and nephews whom he loved with alt his heart. He was preceded in death by his father Barnard (BA), his mother Dorothy, Sister Shirley Anne Tremblay and Brother in Law, Charles Mayo.

Rudy was the kind of guy that you couldn't help but like. He was a smart, caring compassionate and loving man, yet he could be firm and stern if needed. He made you laugh when you wanted to scream or cry. Rudy was easily liked by many folks even when the conditions were controversial. He risked losing it all, professionally and personally, to stand up for what was right. He will be missed terribly by family and close friends. There was only one Rudy Foote, a bright shining soul that is now in heaven.

He was solid in his faith in our Lord. This was one area Rudy would not compromise. On January 11, 2020 God gained a fearless warrior for the gates of heaven, none more faithful. Semper Fidelis Marine. "l have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith" 2 TIM 4:7.