Rudy Ramon Morales, of Natalia, by way of DC, passed away on November 16, 2021, at the age of 69.  He was born August 16, 1952 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic to Ramon Morales and Rosa Ydalia Ureña.

For over fifty years, Rudy was a percussionist in many Latin bands in the Washington D.C. area.  His musical career started at the age of 17, with the founding of the group Zapata.  He studied and performed under Afro-Cuban musicologist Rene Lopez at American University and with the late great pianist/composer and arranger Maria Rodriguez. He also studied and performed with Bata and Danzon Master Roberto Borrell. For many years, Rudy worked the East Coast, Miami, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico Latin/Jazz scenes. He also performed at some of the most prestigious concert venues in New York and in the Nation's Capital (Blue Note, Birdland, The Kennedy Center, Blues Alley). Rudy lectured on percussion and performances at area DC Schools and Churches such as the University of the District of Columbia, High Point High School, Bethel A.M.E. Church in Baltimore Md. American Dance Institute in Rockville Md. and 'Escuela de Rumba'-Latin American Youth center funded by the National Endowment for the Arts. Rudy had the honor of sharing the stage with Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Ramsey Lewis, Tito Puente, Chocolate Armenteros, Frank Bello, and La India.

Once in San Antonio, Rudy continued performing in various bands, such as Libertad Orquesta, Daniel Wyman con La Clave, José Amador and Natiao, Otto Lara Project Salsa, Terra Nova, Conjunto D'Nosotros, Volcan, Bombasta, and Haile Uriarate y su Tumbao Orquesta, to name a few.  His entire career Rudy beat on the congas, bongos, timbales, cajón or any percussion instrument that could keep rhythm. His final performance was on Saturday, November 13 ^th , playing with Bombasta at the Luminaria: Arts in San Antonio where he had the joy of meeting local icon, Flaco Jimenez.

Survivors include his wife, Vangie Morales; daughters, Nina Cottrell (Jamaal) of Castroville, Sandra Alfaro (Rolando) of Silver Spring, Maryland, and Monica Morales of San Antonio; stepchildren, Vanessa Hoover, Delbert Hoover, Jr., and Anahi Hoover all of Natalia; grandchildren, Angelo N. Alfaro, Jamaal A. Cottrell, Jr., Jonathan E. Alfaro, Jazlyn A. Cottrell, and Justin R. Cottrell; step grandchildren, Evalyn Valera, Jaide Hoover, Gabriella Hoover, and Julian Hoover; siblings, Rosalind Morales, Rakeell Morales, Reyna Morales, and Raul Morales (Deborah), numerous nieces and nephews, and extended family, together with all the musicians he called Brother y Hermano.

Rudy was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Luis Morales, and Roberto Morales; and his stepson, Noah Hoover.

Visitation will be Monday, November 22, 2021, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home, with a Service at 5:00 p.m. Services will conclude at the funeral home. To honor his DC roots and for friends and family not able to travel, a Celebration of Life will be held in Washington, DC in early December. Exact date TBA.

Arrangements by Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home. Visit www.tondre-guinn.com