Maj. James T. Hudson

[ironputts]

April 5, 2021

Maj. James T. Hudson
Nighthawk Composite Squadron
Texas Wing

James Thomas "Tommy" Hudson, 73, went to be with our Lord on Monday, March 1, 2021 in Decatur.

Funeral is 2:00pm Saturday, March 6, 2021 at Grace Fellowship Church in Paradise with burial at East Bridgeport Cemetery in Bridgeport. Family will receive friends 6:00-8:00pm Friday at Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport.

Pastor Rick Cooper will officiate. Pallbearers will include Tim Green, Jeff Green, Larry Green, Marty Smith, Jason Smith, and Dakota Smith. Honorary Pallbearers are Sunny Coleman, Danny Schumann, Travis Provence, Bud Gates, Rob Hawkins, Brant Hawkins, Dave Springer, Greg Bates, and Aden "Martin" Ponce.

Tommy was born on May 17, 1947 to Edgbert Thomas and Gladys Mae (Green) Hudson in Decatur, Texas. A member of the Bridgeport High graduating class of 1965, he was voted by his classmates as Best Citizen. Tommy had a strong calling of service to his community, and he left North Texas State University to serve his nation in Vietnam. Tommy proudly served as an Equipment Operator 2nd Class in the U.S. Navy on two tours at Phu Bai and Quang Tri, Vietnam with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 11 from 1968-1970.

Returning to Bridgeport, Tommy began a lifetime of entrepreneurship founding and operating dozens of businesses alongside active membership with the Texas Jaycees. After earning his Commercial Pilot license, he went to work for the FAA as an Air Traffic Control Tower Operator at Ardmore, Oklahoma in the late 1970s. Following the air traffic controller strike and birth of his first son, Tommy again returned to Bridgeport this time to raise his family and help establish his family's propane service, Hudson Butane.

He continued to be active in his community; and, in addition to running several small businesses, Tommy was a long time member of the Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce, Bridgeport Lion's Club, and Bridgeport Volunteer Fire Department, becoming Assistant Fire Chief. He eventually became a Realtor, and owned and operated Midway Properties alongside his Land Services construction company for over 20 years until his retirement in 2010.

Tommy was united in marriage to Pamela Smith on June 26, 2004 in Aurora, Texas. He remained active in volunteer service with his community by serving over 20 years with Civil Air Patrol, becoming a Major. He diligently and proudly helped create and volunteered at the Wise County Veterans Memorial Museum in Bridgeport, and recently joined the Lake Bridgeport Volunteer Fire Department in an effort to continue to serve. Tommy lived his life with a servant's heart. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend to many. He will be missed by all who knew and Loved him.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Those left behind to cherish his memory are his wife, Pamela Hudson of Bridgeport; his sons, Adam Thomas Hudson and wife Melissa of Ft. Worth, Seth Hudson of College Station, Michael Smith and wife Tara of Springtown, John Leonard Judge and wife Penney of Justin; 3 grandsons, Ryan Thomas Hudson, Hayden Smith, and Dawson Smith; 1 granddaughter on the way, his brother, Bob Hudson and wife Marci of Decatur; his sister, Wanda Dixon and husband James of Lake Bridgeport; a niece and several nephews, numerous extended family members, and a host of friends.