Inspirational Hudson dies at age of 80
From Staff Reports
Article from Daily Mountain Eagle
Published October 09, 2004 9:48 PM CDT
Travis Luther Hudson, Sr., known throughout the region for his
legendary love of golf, sports and children, died Saturday at his
residence. He was 80 years old.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12, at First United Methodist Church in Jasper, with burial in Oak Hill Cemetery. The Rev. Kennith Bishop will officiate. Visitation will be from 5:30 until 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 11, at Kilgore-Green Funeral Home, and from noon until 1 p.m. Tuesday at the church. Kilgore-Green Funeral Home will direct.
Hudson was a coach and teacher at Curry High School for 12 years and the golf professional at Musgrove Country Club for some 30 years. He had recently been honored by a longtime friend and former golf student, Scott Drummond, who commissioned a portrait of Hudson working with others that now hangs in the foyer at Musgrove. At the presentation ceremony, Drummond said "I know that I speak for all the boys at this table when I say that we see the kind of man we would like to become."
Former pupils of the lifelong teacher of both sports and life expressed both their fortune to have been acquainted with Hudson and their feeling of loss with his passing.
"With Coach Hudson it is hard to come up with anything to say that does not seem inadequate. He was so special to everyone he met, but especially the young men he took under his wing and taught the game of golf, as well as the game of life," Jasper resident Todd Lee said. "He was a father figure to us always; a baby sitter at times; and when I grew up, he became a friend. I will always cherish that."
"I feel extremely fortunate to have gotten the opportunity to know Travis Hudson. If you could pattern your life after someone, Travis would be a fine model to aspire to," Musgrove Country Club general manager Phil Green said. "He loved people, especially kids, and touched countless numbers throughout his life. I will miss not having him around to go to for advice. He always had some valuable input and would share that in a most positive way."
Hudson was a community servant, annually hosting a golf clinic in Curry for underprivileged children. For many years, he assisted in proving one to five scholarships for local high school student to the University of Alabama or Auburn University.
In addition to his teaching and coaching, Hudson was also a servant to his country. He was a highly decorated veteran of World War II, serving in the European/Mideast campaign from 1943-46. He received the Soldier's Medal in the Battle of the Bulge, the Purple Heart, Victory Medal World War II, the Bronze Star for Heroism in 1944, and the Korean War Service Medal in 1951-52.
"There are so many good things that could be said regarding Travis Hudson," said Jasper businessman and longtime friend Larry Drummond. "Right now, the main thing that comes to my mind is that he is a man who will be sorely missed in the community."
Hudson was preceded in death by his wife, Mae Johnsey Hudson; sister, Louise Bankston; brothers, Dick Hudson and Hubert Bankston; and his parents, Brack and Lois Hudson. He is survived by his children, Pamela Lee Hudson of Jasper, Travis L. "Tab" Hudson and his wife Debra Wagner Hudson of Jasper, Steven Mark Hudson and his wife Karen Hagen Hudson of Birmingham, Susan Hudson Nolen and her husband Steven Nolen of Fayette, and Philip Walter Hudson and his wife Sonya Jones Hudson of Jasper; grandchildren, Gvantsa Hudson, Caitlin Hudson, Mallory Nolen, Camden Nolen, Caroline Hudson, Travis Hudson, Ben Hudson and Nick Hudson; sisters, Louise Hudson Johnsey of Mobile, and Dollie A. Berry; brothers, Hansel L. Hudson, Julian M. Hudson and Don B. Hudson; and numerous relatives and friends.
Honorary pallbearers will be all Curry students, teachers and players, and all Musgrove Country Club members and Junior golfers.
The family requests memorials be made to United Methodist Residential Alternatives, New Beacon Hospice, American Heart Association, Five Points Methodist Church, or to a charity of your choice.
Eagle staff members Brian Kennedy and Ben Hamilton and correspondent Randy Watts contributed to this report.
