MONROE COUNTY LEGEND RECEIVES HIS WINGS
Retired State Trooper Gary Lee Hudson Sr. went to meet his Savior on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022.
He was born Nov. 5, 1948, in Cambridge, to the late Reverend Ralph Dean Hudson and Betty Elizabeth Hudson (McKay), of West Bellaire.
He was preceded in death by niece, Sarah Elizabeth Hudson, and nephew, Jason Robson.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy June Hudson (Kramer), of Woodsfield; son Gary Lee Hudson Jr.; son, Jamie Hudson; daughter, Stacey (Greg) Wells; granddaughter, Maddison Marie Hudson; brothers, Dave (Linda) Hudson and Jim (Dara) Hudson; nephews, Zachary (Annie) Hudson and Seth (Dena) Hudson; nieces, Kelly (Peter) Sandberg and Katie (Kurt) Forrest; and many other beloved brothers- and sisters-inlaw, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Gary worked at NACCO Coal Mine #3 then began his 27-year career with the Ohio State Highway Patrol. He wasn’t working long before he became the resident trooper of Monroe County. It is a little-known fact that he requested the position immediately when approached with the opportunity. He had participated in a manhunt in the area and fell in love with the wooded terrain, rolling hills and valleys. Gary was well known in the community not only as a state trooper, but also as a coach, a juvenile court appointed official, and a two-term Monroe County Commissioner.
Up until his final days, Gary spoke fondly of all of his players from his junior high football and basketball, little league baseball, and freshman basketball teams. Not only did Gary coach his own kids, but he continued to coach long after his children’s high school graduations. Gary also bragged about the kids from the Monroe County Courthouse while working with Judge Walter Starr. He was proud that more than 20 of the kids from the juvenile program enlisted in the military after Mr. Hudson lined them up and marched them down the street. Now Mr. Hudson is marching down the streets of gold and sending the reminder and encouragement that Most People are Good (Luke Bryan) and your life is worth the work.
Friends will be received from 1 to 3 p.m. Monday, Oct. 17, 2022, at the Woodsfield First United Methodist Church, 136 N. Main St., Woodsfield, where the funeral service will follow at 4 p.m. with Rev. David Cottrell officiating.
Arrangements were provided by Bauer-Turner Funeral Home, Woodsfield.
Burial will be held at a later date.
