Rudy "Rooster" Claude Barnhill age 70, was born September 15, 1946 in Lansing Michigan to Claude Sheltraw and Geneva Redfern. Rude grew up in Holt, Michigan. During the summer, Rudy would spend time with his uncles and grandparents in Kentucky. He would then go to Missouri and spend time with his sister, Iverne and her husband Roy. Rudy played basketball, football, baseball and wrestled while attending Holt High School. He graduated in 1964 and was inducted into the US Army shortly after high school. Rudy served two tours in Vietnam. He obtained the rank of Sergeant as well as receiving a Marksmanship Medal.

Rudy returned to Lansing, Michigan after serving his country and bar tended at several local bars over the next 20 years. Rudy met his future wife Betsy, in 1976, when he tended bar at faces Lounge in Lansing. They had 2 sons, Jerry and Mikey Lightfoot and raised Demetrius Gardenhire and Amanda Lightfoot. Rudy and Betsy established their home in the 1980's. They moved into the Fabulous Acres neighborhood, just south of downtown Lansing. Rudy spent the next 15/20 years raising his family and cultivating his community.

He became the Youth Activities Director of Fab's Acres. Rudy coached numerous P.A.L. basketball teams, sent hundreds of kids to summer camp, helped organize many community activities, and was nominated for the Bea Christy award on two separate occasions. Rudy instilled qualities in the youth in his neighborhood, such as teamwork, togetherness and respect. With Rudy's help, the neighborhood kids helped fund trips to the Detroit Zoo, Tiger baseball games, Michigan Adventure and Dallas Texas. The families only needed to buy their own food. Transportation and ticket cost were already paid for. In the mid 1990's Rudy's kids won the JC Penny Golden Rule Award for the state of Michigan. They flew to Dallas Texas for the national finals and came in 2nd place. They supplied Christmas baskets and toys to 37 families that year.

In 1994 Rudy was shown old plans for a park in the Fab's Acres area. After several meetings with numerous city officials, Rudy was able to get the city back on board building Barb Dear Tot Lot. Rudy met MSU Professor, Dr. Cunningham, after the park had been built. Dr. Cunningham heard about Fab's Acres, and their multicultural neighborhood. Dr. Cunningham built a statue denoting all the cultures in Fab's Acres. The sculpture was transported from East Lansing to the Barb Dean Tot Lot by a crane w here it remains today. Over the years Rudy helped raise hundreds of kids and taught them love, understanding, acceptance and respect for themselves. Rudy truly was his "Brothers Keeper".

Rudy became ill in 2000 and by 2006, he had a massive stroke that left him wheelchair bound and unable to talk. The past 11 years Rudy showed exceptional strength and courage. He has become an icon in the downtown Lansing area, where he travels by wheelchair in good weather. He would normally go to the local Subway and eat lunch, unaccompanied. He was able to attend all his children and grandchildren's sporting events. Rudy showed unwavering support and unconditional love for his family and community until the morning of his death. He will be missed and loved by all that knew him; but the lessons he taught will live on forever through all those that he loved and helped. Until we meet again "PAPA".

Rudy is survived by his wife Betsy, children Jerry Lightfoot, Mickey (Shay) Lightfoot, Demetruis Gardenhire and Amanda (Joia) Collins- Lightfoot, Rudy Jr., Billy and Rhonda Barnhill, Teresa, Freddy and Holly Pullman, brother in law Mike (Norman) Fall, niece Jessika Vladar, grandchildren Matthew Ethington, Brandon, Mickaia, Milani, Maejor, Victoria and Mila Lightfoot and other grandchildren, great grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews extended family members and the Fabulous Acres Community.