Joseph A. Ludrof Jr., 91, of Allentown, died peacefully Jan. 27, 2026, at Phoebe Home, Allentown. He was the husband of the late Barbara A. (Reinhard) Ludrof for 71 years. Born in Allentown, he was the son of the late Joseph A. Ludrof Sr. and Terese (Gregor) Ludrof.

He attended Northampton High School for two years and Allentown Central Catholic High School for two years, graduating from ACCHS in 1952. At both schools, he played both football and basketball. He was cocaptain of the ACCHS basketball team that won the Philadelphia Catholic Interscholastic Athletic Association 1952 State Championship.

In 1952-1953, he attended Rider University on a full basketball scholarship. He completed his college education with a degree from Penn State University in 1959.

He was inducted into the ACCHS Wall of Fame in 1993.

He served as a controller, business manager, treasurer and accountant for many companies with operations in the Lehigh Valley region (Modern Transfer, Mary MacIntosh Laundries, Bethlehem Contracting, Welder Training and Testing Institute). In 1999, he retired after working at King, McCardle in Allentown.

He served on the public safety committee for Lower Macungie Township as well as engaging with community-based organizations such as Salisbury Township and East Penn School District.

He was a founding member of St. Thomas More Roman Catholic Church, serving as the school board treasurer and coach of the CYO high school boys basketball team.

He was a past treasurer of Trident Swim Club and ACCHS Booster Club.

He was chairman of the board for the Old Time Athletes and Friends Group. He was most proud of his civic duty, having received an award for voting in 52 straight elections.

He was a very passionate fan of his beloved Philadelphia Eagles. Even though his lifelong fandom was rewarded with two Super Bowl victories, his dying wish was that six Eagles players act as pallbearers for him so they can “let him down one more time!”

He had the extreme honor of attending a private audience with Pope John Paul II in 2002, where he accidentally wore his Eagles hat, the Pope saw it before he was asked to remove it, and the Pope simply said, “I see that you’re an Eagles fan and for that, I’m sorry.”

He is survived by a son, Joseph III, of Fountain Hill; daughter, Julia Scott, of Allentown; daughter-in-law, Lori, of Cranberry Township; daughter, Jane Merritt (Stan), of Phoenixville; son, John (Natalie), of Allentown; sister-in-law, Beverly Fekula (Jack), of Whitehall; grandchildren, Jeffrey Jr., Joseph (Katelyn), Jim Merritt (Sandi), Brian (Ailee), Jared, Laura Lesagonicz (Chris), Abigail, Tori Merritt; great-grandchildren, Emersyn, Blake, Owen, Tanner, Cheyenne, Audrey, Emery, Benjamin, Hayden, Leo; many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife, he is preceded in death by his son, Jeffrey Sr.; sisters, Teresa Lewis and Jeanne Tilghman.

The Heintzelman-Stephens Funeral Home, P.C., has been entrusted with the arrangements. Online expressions of sympathy may be recorded at www.heintzelmanstephens.com.

Contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital online at stjude.org in his name.