James T. Ruedlinger, Jr.

On Monday, May 25, 2026, James Theodore Ruedlinger Jr. passed away unexpectedly, surrounded by the love of his family.

To the people who knew him, James was kind, generous, thoughtful, silly, and deeply curious. Whether he was saying something that made you think, making you laugh, sharing something he had just learned, or saying the thought no one else was brave enough to say, James made ordinary moments feel full. The beauty of James was in the everyday things: in the way he loved his family, in his endless curiosity about the world, and in the kindness people felt just by being around him. His presence was funny, honest, steady, and deeply comforting.

For Seehum, James was her person—they were each other’s best friend. He was her steady place, the one who helped make life feel safe, and the partner who handled what needed to be handled so their family was cared for. Their partnership was a reflection of the life they built together: rooted in love, trust, encouragement, and the steady belief that they could anchor one another through every season.

A few years ago, when Seehum was unsure of her career path, James encouraged her to take the leap and follow her dreams. He believed in her fully, not just in who she was, but in who she was becoming. James did not just support her dreams; he made space for them.

That love grew even more when they became parents to Teddy. Of all the roles James held, being Teddy’s dad was one of the clearest reflections of who he was. He was hands-on, patient, goofy, steady, and deeply intentional in the way he loved and raised his son. He and Seehum were a true team in parenting, creating a steady and beautiful love for Teddy.

James included Teddy in the things he loved—whether they were outside in the garden harvesting what they had grown, going on new adventures, or simply embracing the small moments together as a family. He was the kind of father who was fully present and fully involved, raising Teddy with love, structure, curiosity, joy, and a clear sense of right and wrong.

James’ deep curiosity with the world meant he was always learning, questioning, reading, and seeking to understand more. He obtained both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Texas at Arlington, where he became known early on as someone thoughtful, influential, and ready to lead, even serving as an adjunct assistant professor of communications at UT Arlington—a role that reflected his love for learning and his gift for sharing knowledge with others.

Professionally, James served as Director of Commercial Excellence and Pricing Strategy at KPMG. His colleagues knew him as a fast learner, a trusted mentor, a thoughtful leader, and someone who brought ownership, humor, reliability, and humanity into his work. Whether at home, with friends, in the classroom, or at work, James cared deeply about people. He wanted to do things well, understand things fully, and leave things better than he found them.

James loved being outside in any capacity—fishing, gardening, skiing, running, mountain biking, smoking meats, and cooking great steaks. Beyond his outdoor adventures, he enjoyed reading, cortados, lavender lattes, or playing methodical storytelling video games. He was a huge fan of Lilo & Stitch, a lover of good tacos and Asian cuisine, and he never said no to mint chocolate chip ice cream. He loved their dog, Matcha, deeply and treated her like one of his children. These little details were pieces of the life and joy that made James so fully himself.

James will be remembered for his kindness, his humor, his intelligence, his generosity, and his deep love for his family. He will be remembered as a devoted husband, an extraordinary father, a loving son, a caring brother, a loyal friend, a teacher, a mentor, and a person who made the world better simply by being in it.

James is survived by his beloved wife, Seehum; his two-year-old son, Teddy; his parents, James Sr. and Renee Ruedlinger; his sister, Jewel; and many family members, friends, colleagues, and loved ones who will carry his memory forward.

Though his time with us was far too short, the love James gave will continue to live on in Seehum, Teddy, his family, friends, and every person lucky enough to have known him.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate James’ life on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 10:00 AM. A reception will follow.