My dad Jody Hudson has passed away. Dad was an endless source of love, knowledge, and inspiration to myself and many others. As a son and artist, I can not imagine a more wonderful dad, and friend. I know you’ll be checking out my blog dad, I love and miss you.
Friends and family, please add any thoughts or stories you may have to the comments section below.
Dad’s obituary…
Joseph “Jody” Hudson, Jr.
March 16, 1949 - November 11, 2008
Joseph R. “Jody” Hudson Jr. 59, of Lewes, passed away Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at his home. Jody was born March 16, 1949 in Milford and he was the first of 3 children born to Joe and the late Faye Hudson.
He graduated from Lewes High School in 1967 and then worked on the family farm until enlisting in the United States Coast Guard. After his tour in the Coast Guard, Jody came back to Lewes where he received his Real Estate license in 1972. Since 1972, Jody has been involved in the Real Estate Industry in various capacities including licensed Realtor, Broker, and Community Developer. Jody helped manage, sell, and/or develop: Cripple Creek, Eagle Crest Aerodrome, Lazy Lake, Overbrook Shores, Tanglewood, Cool Spring Farms, Covey Creek, and Cave Colony.
Most recently Jody served as one of the most active members of the Positive Growth Alliance, and was elected President of the Board of Directors. Jody was very committed to his role as President and went above and beyond the call of duty to serve his board.
Outside of his professional life, Jody was a loquacious, supportive and loving father, colorful character, gifted photographer, philosopher, listener, storyteller, salesman, business consultant, adventurer, pragmatic naturalist, avid target shooter, weapons expert, problem solver, reader, writer, patriot, protector of the Constitution, expert on most topics, an Avatar, and friend to many people near and far, who was prepared for anything. His ever-present smile, entertaining stories, enthusiastic conversations, commentaries, monologues, valuable suggestions, and numerous other unique contributions to the community will be missed. In faith, Jody was a Minister of the Church of Scientology, and had recently been attending the Lewes Church of Christ.
Jody is survived by his three children, Joss Hudson and his wife Diana; Abraxas Hudson and Jazz Hudson; two grandchildren Savana and Kira Hudson; his father Joe and wife Christine Hudson; sister Susie Hudson, brother Craig and his wife Liz Hudson, step sister Janel Hudson; two nephews, Christian and his wife Julie Hudson, and Jamin Hudson.
The Hudson family would like to express their sincere appreciation for the great outpouring of support that they have received from the community.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like to suggest that you make a charitable donation in Jody’s memory to the USO (United Services Organization) World Headquarters, Department WS, PO Box 96860, Washington, DC 20090-6860 or the organization of your choice in memory of Jody.
Please check out dad’s website, http://JodyHudson.com
Photo above by dad’s friend, photographer Kevin Fleming
Thanks to Steve Plotkin for this beautiful video of dad’s memorial bonfire…
Please post your thoughts and stories about Dad at the link below…
November 14th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Jody was my second cousin on my mother’s side. We saw each other only a few times in our growing up. I reunited with my cousin many years ago thanks to the internet and a mutual career in Real Estate. We were able to get together a couple of times in the last 3 years, since my time off still takes me back to Rehobeth beach for relaxation. I loved his easy manner, his wit and his charm. He left for a higher calling on the 11th and I turned 52 the same day; I will think of him every year and remember fondly the times we had to share. THe hay wagon ride through the corn fields comes readily to mind………I was abour 10 or 12 and we were visiting Joe and Faye. I ended up hiding under the seat trying to escape the hoardes of mosquitoes that were eating me allive:) Dress ups at “Aunt Reet’s” house are a favorite memory as well. I am sorry I never got to know my 3rd cousins; maybe one day our paths will cross. Gwen
November 14th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Thank you so much for your notification of Jody’s early exit. I heard from my brother, Mac, the same sad news, last night. Sincere condolences to the entire family from myself, Andy, Mac, Steve and Julie. Jody will be missed by us all! I’ll always remember him as a fun loving compatriot! The 70’s story of the Cadillac convertible run from Lewes to Indian river, right down the beach, with a bevy of beauties, awash in a sea of beer or whiskey, stands out as a similar type story to one of mine! The time I saw him decked out in a fire proof suit, at a costume party off RT 1 in the early 80’s was always good for a grinning recollection. Most recently our discussions took on a more serious tone as to the advisability of hanging on to the family’s home place in central Rehoboth. Our pal Jody was always “Right On Time! He’ll be missed.
November 14th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
I met Jody via The Rallypoint.org a few years ago. We shared the same hobby and mindset of guns, shooting, self-defense, and the 2nd Amendment. I had the honor of going to the range a few times with him, and to a few gun shows together. He was also a member of Delaware Open Carry where he enlightened many of us with his knowledge and entertained us with his stories. He was like a father figure to me, and I will always cherish and remember the great times I had with him. Jody will be greatly missed!!
November 14th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Jody was and always will be remembered fondly and no one will ever be able to make us at the gun shop stop look and listen like he was able to when he entered the room,it was as if we all waited for what he was always about to say or do……two weeks ago he gave me a chair..(.im still smiling at that one.)….why i will never know maybe i looked like i needed to sit down to him, He was always available to talk when people needed to and he made people laugh….he bummed a cigerette off me when i use to smoke and i yelled at him for smoking it…lol..that was too funny..I think he just did it to show me how dumb i looked smoking to begin with….He was real and up front….no matter what…We love u and miss u Rev….peace and love……
November 14th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
To the family Mr Jody
I met Mr Jody quite by chance last Spring while letting my dogs run and enjoy time at the bay. He was enjoing taking photos as the sun was setting. My dogs wanted to make friends with him and I will forever be grateful that they did. He ended up taking many pictures of my dogs and to make a long story short he worked endless hours to make a dream of mine come true. I now have beatiful picture of my two maltese at the bay on canvas. It looks like an oil painting. I will truly miss Mr Jody. He had such a kind and warm spirit. Mr Jody and I agreed that God often puts people together and we both agreed our meeting at the bay was meant to be. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time.
Tina Kline
November 14th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
I met Jody years ago when I lived on the Eastern Shore. I am also a Patriot and stand in awe of our Constitution. I moved to Alaska to be with my ex-Ranger fiancee’ and kept in contact with your dad by email. Thank you for letting me know that your dad, a man I considered my friend and an exemplary watchguard of freedom, had passed away. I am sorry for your loss.
Jody told me once right before Y2K that he had a feeling, vision of one day waking up and the world would be suddenly changed. For the worse at first, then thanks to the sacrifice and efforts of the good men and women, for the better. My own mother told me of virtually the same thing my entire life. I asked him if Y2K was going to be it. He wasn’t sure but thought no. Maybe a major inconvenience, excuse for a coup but not “it”. I was 20 miles from the WTC on 9/11 and afterwards I asked Jody if that was “it” and he said no but it was coming closer. His wish was that he had raised you three kids to carry on the torch of freedom. From your description of your father I have no doubt that your father was an outstanding success.
Your dad sure was a colorful man. He was also a good man. Thinking nothing of coming out one rainy night to give me a jump on Rt 50 when my car died or asking me if I had an extra cast iron pot for a friend that needed one to be able to cook on the woodstove .
Live with the good memories of your father. They will get you thru the tough times ahead.
Robin
November 14th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
Abraxas,
Maribeth Fischer forwarded your email about Jody to me. I am sorry to hear of his passing and I send you and your family my
most sincere sympathy. I knew Jody when I worked at Booksandcoffee in Dewey Beach, and I enjoyed talking with him when he came in to use the internet, drink coffee, and attend events there. May your wonderful memories of him sustain you
in your time of loss.
November 14th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
Jody will be missed. He certainly had a lot of of contacts at the beach. He was well known, had a lot of knowledge of the area, and he was a shrewd businessman. He was VERY proud of you Abraxus, and he bragged about you and your artistry on several occasions when I met with him. He was very proud of his kids and his wife. I wish you and your family the best in this difficult time.
John McKown, President
Delaware.Net, Inc.
http://www.delaware.net
November 15th, 2008 at 12:50 am
Some of my most vivid memories of Jody were Wal Mart Crawls. We would visit various wal marts from salisbury to Dover. It didn’t much matter that the stores are largely the same or that neither of us really needed to buy anything, It was more about the company. (And Jody finding as much ammo as possible in sporting goods—he really liked one brand that he could only seem to find at Wal Mart.) We had a lot of discussions, debates–sometimes a bit heated, but never disrespectful–, Sometimes we’d exchange stories and he could always outdo me there at least 2 to 1. He liked calling these rambling adventures “Field trips”. Often enough we would wind up at Willey Knives or Argo’s corner. The last field trip was there in fact. He had found several Monk’s robes that he knew I would love. He was right, but cool as they were, neither of us could come up with a way we could fit the robes into our lives that justified their purchase. He even offered to buy mine as well–That’s just how he was; unendingly generous and in favor of always having at least two of everything===These gestures always touched me a lot. I am a reiki worker and I think he felt he owed me something for the work I did on him,( often en route to one wal mart or another), in spite of my insistance that his company was plenty. One field trip we were rolling out on the beach in his car (yep, a sedan on the beach) and wound up taking pictures of the rotted hull of an old boat sticking out of the sand like skelital ribs. I remember accompanying him to his Chiropractor in Wilmington With a long and continuous repitition of the sanscrit OM blaring from the speakers from a cd called Eternal Om. He really liked that Cd And I often used it while working on him at his appartment. These are just small snipits I remember. I could write dozens more. We first met at a small support group for fledgeling writers called Rehoboth Alliance Of Writers that met at Browsabout Books weekly. As was his nature, He threw himself into that group wholeheartedly, doing legwork and bringing in people. He sort of became RAW’s go to guy, not by any appointment or nomination, but by virtue of his enormous enthusiasm and love of communicating with people. I can honestly say the way he made me feel at ease coming into a group of strangers that first time there and the support he gave for my early writing in that group impacted me greatly. For that he will always have my gratitude
November 15th, 2008 at 9:09 am
With the passing of this iconic man our lives are left with a palpable void. He knew us sometimes better than ourselves as is the cross borne by someone who’s wisdom came from a tumultuous life. He shared more, lent more, and gave more of himself, his time and even of his possessions than anyone I have ever seen or heard about. His sense of humor was kind and sweet, and he often cautioned me about the content of my humor lest the natural order of the universe may take offense. “Be careful what you put out, lest it come back to visit you” he said and I have tempered my wit to that statement since.
My Fondest memory of this seemingly boundlessly interesting man, was a time that he spent in residence as the chronicler of the “Mystic Order of the Red Space Eagle” M.O.R.S.E. Though quite silly in its origins, he found a way through this club to keep us all in suspense as to the next issue. Each volume to follow carried us all together in rapturous laughter and clamoring back to our meeting place to poke fun at each other based upon the insights of this brilliant writer. I love him, will miss him, and I lament that my children will not get to know him as I did.
November 15th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
Abraxas,
I forgot to ad: I had promised your dad I would dig out some pictures my fiancee’ John had taken of some brown bears at Katmai. The same place as that crazy bear guy tried to become one with the bears and they ate him. Your dad joked in an email that he got his wish.
John has his degree in Archaeology and was supervising a dig of college students there. They had run electric fence around the dig to kepp the bears at bay. It was a rather remote location they had been helo’d into. John was busy digging and felt something tap of his shoulder. He turned around expecting to find a student only to find a young bear trying to “see” what he was doing. When John turned around he said he still doesn’t know who was more startled, the bear or him. It backed up a ways but laid down and watched him like a puppy would. The artist in John took over the warrior in him and he picked up his camera instead of his gun. The result is some of the most awesome pictures. I had forwarded one to your dad and he had asked for copies of the roll…old style…LOL. I am ashamed to admit I never got him the pictures. I will try to find the negatives and make you a set.
And, if you ever want to come to Alaska to vacation, paint, or just to meditate you are always welcome.
Robin
November 15th, 2008 at 11:26 pm
Jody and I haven’t spoken much over the past couple of decades, but I wanted to add some recollections here nonetheless.
I recall Jody has an intensely friendly person. He just had an enormous amount of affinity for people and it was genuine affinity.
I lived in the DC area when I knew Jody and I was out to Jody’s house a number of times. I recall Jody’s dad helping me out way back when by co-signing on a loan. I just remember the entire family being incredibly gracious.
Jody, I wish you well and look forward to continuing our friendship up the road!
November 16th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Another story…….
I remember years ago, At the Rehoboth Alliance of Writers, I had whitten a story, or part of one, that had a zombie in it. (I write horror) and This creature, without going into a lot of detail here, was in a state of—well “bad shape” puts it mildly. I just kind of tossed off my lingering description as more shock stuff and forgot about most of the whole story. Years later, I was reading a complete story for the Rehoboth Beach Writer’s Guild that I had written for their October/Halloween reading. Jody Introduced me and recalled that long ago and half forgotten tale quoting my description nearly word for word. It was a great introduction and I cannot say how touched I was that, after all this time, he remembered that little snip of grousome talespinning. I feel kind of proud that I made some impact on someone who made such an impact on me. Another thing I can recall vividly, was how, No matter where we had occasion to go together, I was very likely to be introduced to someone I had never met before. I often used to say he knew everyone in sussex and kent countys as well as half the people in New Castle. I remember being invited to the Long And Foster Christmas party shortly befor He and Kate split from them. He asked me to come and pleaded with me to wear my bug eyed sunglasses and bring some of my Energy worker tools with me because “You’ll have one or two of them hiding in the back office and the rest just won’t know what to think. Be sure to tell them you’re with me.” At least until Kate’s miracle flamable punch had the seasonal glow really flowing, the effect was what we were after. I say “we” because I got a kick out of it too. He liked keeping them guessing there at L+F. His parting is an empty place for all of us who knew and loved him. He will be sorely missed.
November 16th, 2008 at 11:34 pm
I will always remeber Jody as a very talkitive man. He always knew how to make us smile. I believe jody was my cousin as my grandma says. The memory that i have of him is when we threw my grandma her 70th birthday party at my uncle randy’s new house. I remeber that ever time i saw him it was with his camara. He took most of the pictures that day. All four hundred of them, of what i herd. Lol… i will always remeber him and he will never be forgotten in my heart. The one thing i know is that our family reuion that we have at the end of every summer is not going to be the same without him. We will miss he unique laugh. If u knew the hudsons you would know the laugh. Its a laugh that u can hear from a mile away. I never really got a chance to say it but i know now that he is watching over us. i will say ” i love you Jody Hudson and will miss you dearly.
(R.I.P Jody Hudson) May you always be remebered in our hearts and never forgotten.
~Carey~
November 17th, 2008 at 12:37 am
I knew Jody through the Rehoboth Beach Writers’ Guild, where for weeks he wrote an historical novel about pre-colonial Delaware. He was memorable in the way each of us wishes to be memorable and mostly isn’t. T.
November 17th, 2008 at 1:22 am
Growing up with Brax in Red Mill Farms awarded me the pleasure of interacting with Jody Hudson for the last 23 years. This past week we were all sharing Jody stories and I would like to share a few now.
I remember one time when we were 13 or 14 Jody asked Brax, Frank, Jason, and I to help him pass out his business cards all over Rehoboth and Bethany. We were driving around Rehoboth Ave by the Bandstand and some person was crossing the street minding their own business. Jody, picked up his CB and switched it to the PA mode and yelled, “Get out of the crosswalk!” in a very official manner. The person jumped out of his or her skin and about 5 feet in the air. Jody then erupted into his signature cacophonous laugh and had all of us in stitches. He had that same mischievous grin on his face you can see in the photo above.
More recently about two weeks ago, I was out sighting in my shotgun for the upcoming deer season with Jody and Brax at the shooting range. I had it zeroed in at 25 yards and was ready to put it back in the case when Jody suggested we back up to 50 yards and try a few more. Sure enough, at 50 yards the grouping was a bit low. Brax helped convert clicks to inches and we got it just right. We spoke about the upcoming election, our hopes for the future of these great United States and each headed back to the daily grind. This past Friday at Cape Henlopen State Park, I was granted the opportunity of harvesting a handsome buck. My shot was perfect and as I sat in the stand reflecting on my good fortune all I could think about was Jody. Jody and Brax shared their love of target shooting with me at an early age and I am forever grateful.
Men like Jody are extreemly rare and I am thankful to have been at the right place ….at the right time ….in the right corner of the universe to share in his energy. As Jody begins the next chapter of his journey through the universe, I have faith that he will bring joy, knowledge, and laughter to whomever is blessed enough to share in his powerful Life Force.
Thanks again Jody!
November 17th, 2008 at 11:26 am
Brax, my impression of Jody, from the first moment I met him, was that he was a character. Our conversations were always interesting, and he was always kind. Usually I would see him at work with Kate coming in for something real estate related and we would chat a little.
I just wanted to post a poem that really helped me when I lost my nephew 2 years ago.
I Carry Your Heart
I carry your heart with me, (I carry it in my heart)
I am never without it (anywhere I go you go, my dear,
And whatever is done by only me, is your doing, my darling)
I fear no fate, (for you are my fate, my sweet)
I want no world, (for beautiful, you are my world, my true)
And you are whatever a moon has always meant
And whatever a sun will always sing is you
Here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(Here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
And the sky of the sky of a tree called life;
Which grows higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
And this is the wonder that is keeping the stars apart
I carry your heart, (I carry it in my heart)
E.E. Cummings
This poem really helped me to verbalize how I felt losing my nephew. Even though he is gone I still carry him with me, which I am sure you understand. The love we have for each other is the ‘wonder keeping the stars apart’. I could never have said that on my own, thankfully we have poets and artists to make our hearts known.
November 17th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Brax,
Although I have never met Jody face to face, I have come to know him through you. He sent you to my painting class 15 years ago, and I am very proud to have been chosen to inspire and nurture such a talent. I know, too, that he is very proud of your accomplishments. Yes, Brax, he was a very supportive and loving Dad who fanned the sparks of a great talent and gave birth to a star. I know that he will be missed, but I’m certain that the flame of love between you will continue to light your ways!
November 17th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
I will miss Jody’s laugh!! For the 23 years that I have known him, his big belly laughs always made me happy. And he was never short on hugs. I always admired Jody’s love of his country and his children. I will never forget walking up to a house with him in PA. He did not know who lived there, but loved the house and wanted to build one like it in Cripple Creek. That meant he needed to see the floor plan inside. I was scared but followed him anyway. She let us in and we walked through the house until Jody was satisfied. Everyone, even stranger, were always at ease around Jody.
He taught me how to make the best grilled cheese and tomato soup lunch that I have ever had, how to plant flower bulbs, how to drive stick shift in his VW bug, and how to be a good friend. I’ll never forget the hours of delivering brochures and making a map of the entire county with every lot for sale. (Whatever happened to that thing?)
My sympathy goes out to the family and community. His big personality and dedication to us will be missed.
November 18th, 2008 at 7:20 am
Jody Hudson was a great member of our community.
I remember the first time I met Mr. Jody Hudson (as I loved to formally call him even after we became very good friends). It was at the Booksandcoffee in Dewey Beach. He was the first man to brave the estrogen-filled rooms of the Resort Beaches Women in Business Group and I only allowed him to stay because he was sporting a camera (smart guy). He soon became a beloved honorary member!
Jody was an incredible resource of information due to his desire to embrace life, people and to walk down many paths. Who loved his children very much. When we talked he would always speak very proudly of them. I never remember hearing him ever talking negatively about anyone.
He held a respect for nature I admire and he was always jumping in to help in times of trouble or where he thought he could make a difference. His friendship touched me and my family in a way that made us better for having the chance to call him our friend. The community has suffered a great loss of this loving, giving and beautiful person who I personally am very fortunate to have known.
Regina AaMacha, director
Resort Beaches Women in Business
November 18th, 2008 at 11:05 am
I met Jody only two times, once in my home and once
when he was selling sunglasses on the Mall in WDC.
Nobody could sell sunglasses the way Jody did! He will
live thru Brax. Remember only the good times.
November 18th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
Was it the time Jody,Bruce,Lee and I took a ride in the country just after sun set and ended up on a dirt road surrounded by woods but in the distance we saw a single light. We decided this light was from a hunter or someone out for a walk and as we finished our sodas and tossed a bottle onto the dirt road the sound of breaking glass echo through the woods and we thought a dirt road how did the bottle break and why was the light getting brighter when Jody opened his door started laughing so hard it seem as if an hour pass before he could pull himself together to say “were sitting on a damn railroad track” !! Or was it the time (Jody’s idea) we borrowed a stack of employment applications from Beebe filled them out using other peoples names and information then mailed them to Beebe. The hospital could not figure out why the chief of police was applying to Beebe school of nursing. Maybe it was the time Lee and I decided to take a cow from Hopkins dairy farm ( Christmas Eve) and tie it in Jody’s yard with a tag on it saying “to Jody from mom&dad) but then Lee and I thought what if were walking down the road with this damn cow and the police pull up say what in the world are you two doing with that cow and our response would be “WHAT COW” Maybe it was the hours and hours we would sit on Barry’s deck and talk that I will miss the most. Until we meet again my friend. Until we meet again.
November 19th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
I’ll always remember cousin Jody as the family photographer and an avid lover of the Burton/Hudson raisin cake! One family reunion he had even commented that mine was actually -better- than Gramma Fredas, quite an accomplishment. Jody will always be remembered and shall stay in our hearts forever. Condolences to the rest of the family and other friends. <3
November 21st, 2008 at 12:26 am
Hey Brax, Barbara Deitrick informed me of this blog so I thought I would send my condolences.
I only met your dad one time at the Rehoboth Art League Outdoor Show. We chatted for quite sometime. He really gave my work a good look, not knowing he was your dad (then), I now know why he seemd sharply interested in art itself.
May he rest in peace and a safe journey.
Be well.
November 21st, 2008 at 11:50 pm
A Message Left Behind on a Field of Green
As I looked down from the Heavenly sky
I saw a bonfire whose bright flames flared high
As the light reflected from the fire’s glow
I suddenly realized it was my family and friends, that I loved so
I can never tell you what it meant to me that night
When the stars shined and the cold winds blew, but somehow it felt right
To each of you standing in a simple field of green
It was so surreal like I was there, if you know what I mean
Maybe I was, but you did not know
As you told stories about me from so long ago
Even though I wasn’t standing there even though I did part
I still felt your love for me that you had in your heart
And later should you pass by this green field again
I hope you always remember the good times when
The jokes we told, the good times, the laughter
Are now left behind in that green field, forever after
Therefore, I guess this should be a final goodbye
As you depart tonight, leave behind the tears that you cry
Thank you for honoring me tonight
When the cold winds blew and a fire shined bright
Yes, we say goodbye and we will always remember when
The loved shared, the good times, between family and friends.
As I look down from the Heavenly sky
The fire has gone and the flames have died
The light reflecting upon you no longer will glow
Tonight in a field of green, it is time for a final goodbye as I go
Donna Spencer
Donna’s Magic Pen©
November 15, 2008
Dedicated to Jody Hudson
November 21st, 2008 at 11:52 pm
In the Stillness of Peace
Transcending the complexities of life,
His desires and purpose were as simplistic as enjoying a beautiful sunset,
On the beaches where he spent so much of his time-
Searching for the stillness of peace.
Through our search in life’s journey we should learn from his example-
To embrace all people, all things with an uncommon acceptance;
Especially to love and cherish what means the most to us,
Even if it means to defend these and all principles in rebellion.
We should glean from his courage to dance to the beat of our own drum;
Even if the rhythm doesn’t make sense to anyone else.
We are given the birthright to be free;
And aren’t others’ expectations of us selfish, anyway?
You know that you truly have something of him to take with you,
If you can look at the sunset of Cape Henlopen,
And feel the passion you could always see in his smile;
For he had a smile you long to feel in your heart.
You can walk in the stillness of peace in deliverance-
When you can truly let go of judgment and accept yourself;
And your life choices with complete abandon-
Giving others the same freedom in kind.
Capture the beauty and brilliance of life itself in each moment wherever you go;
The way he did with his camera and in all of his pictures;
Today is all that we have; tomorrow is never promised-
Go to that stillness of peace for it’s simplicity is our salvation.
It is in the stillness of peace that you can see your own reflection;
For seeing the best in other people, we get the gift of seeing the best in ourselves.
Jody brought to us life, laughter, love, and unconditional positive regard-
It was his purpose, his legacy- and to carry it forth is a CHOICE.
~In Loving Memory of Jody Hudson
Chela Y. Hutchison
Renton, Washington
November 16, 2008
November 24th, 2008 at 11:43 pm
My heart aches for the loss the Hudson family has suffered and especially for Joss, Brax, and Jazz. Jody has been a part of our family for so long and I am feeling a deep sorrow and sadness. I will miss him.
I have known Jody since high school and I have been a part of his family as his sister-in-law when he and my sister Sue were married. I have had the pleasure and privilege of continued interactions with Jody because he is the father of my nephews, Joss and Brax.
Just the mere fact that Jody and Sue have been able to maintain an ongoing mutual respect and continue to participate in family functions because of the love for their sons says volumes of Jody’s personality. Just 3 weeks ago when Sue had a birthday dinner celebration for Brax Jody was there at the head of the table.
I know that both my parents loved Jody and he loved them. My father used to make some good home made wine that Jody liked. Jody was known to par-take with Dad, family, and friends. My daughter, Chela, completely adored and loved her Uncle Jody.
Jody was a fantastic photographer. He took the pictures of my wedding at the beach, he took tons of pictures of my daughter as she was growing up, just as he has taken many pictures of you and your families. If you are with Jody close to sunset you will be heading to the most picturesque area to catch that perfect sunset.
When you are with Jody you will always find laughter throughout the conversation. If you know Jody at all and you have a time constraint you don’t dare ask a question or his opinion because you are guaranteed to be there for an indefinite amount of time. I am sure many of you can recall this type of experience and you may even laugh thinking about that time when the conversation wondered off into a direction you would never have predicted and during this time you may have wondered how it took the turn and how in the world did Jody intertwine the topics and how is it that he knows so much about so many things.
Jody could turn any ordinary situation into an extraordinary event. Jody loves a good time, he is fun, loving and caring.
I can honestly say “I love that man.” I have always enjoyed Jody’s company, his humor, and his opinions, and his outlook. I have always admired Jody’s desire for learning, his knowledge, and his ability to have a conversation on any topic. Jody was an avid reader and philosopher.
In my travels on Friday I just happened upon this quote and I immediately thought of Jody and that I would be using this in whatever I had to say today.
I would like to read the quote by SHAO LIN:
In each loss there is a gain.
As in every gain there is a loss.
And with each ending comes a new beginning.
December 9th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Ok, here is a Jody story:
I am sitting in a diner in Florida - eating breakfast food one afternoon with Jody. Our waitress is a pudgy - well, fat - pasty-faced woman in her 60’s. Not someone who attracted a lot of care or interest.
A guy comes in and says he came to the area as he’d heard there was work on some farm but when they got there, no more workers were needed, his family was in the car and he needed a few bucks to get them some food. Jody gave him $10. I gave him silence and submerged attitude.
The waitress gave him some money too. The guy left.
Right away someone else comes in laughing about how Charlie the Cocaine dealer had just walked out etc. Jody smiled and said in his warm melodic voice something charming about how he guessed he’d just been had, like he’d just seen an amusing bit in a movie. Then he stood up and left our booth almost immediately.
He came back a little bit later. He said he’d noticed that the waitress was leaning on the counter, sobbing, and that he’d told her, it’s not so bad, I got “had” too. That…
She looked up at him and said “you don’t understand”. That on Thanksgiving her husband had shot himself in the head in front of her and that she’d been devastated. That she’d gone to the doctor as she was having a hard time and he gave her psychiatric drugs.
She said that when she found out she’d been conned by the drug dealer, that she realized that if she had a gun in her hands at that moment, that she would have tried to kill him. THAT was why she was crying, that she had become violent, that she had lost control, she said.
Jody said, “maybe you should stop taking that stuff” and that she should drink lots of water, take walks and that he’d check in on her.
I asked him months later if he’d checked on her. He said he did, that she was off the drugs and doing fine.