Richard Alexander Hudson, Iii

On Wednesday evening Feb 17 Richard A. Hudson Jr/III, also known as Ditty, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family. At 98 yrs and 9 months he had lived a long, full and fruitful life. Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM Wednesday, February 24, 2021 from the graveside in the Providence Presbyterian Church Cemetery with military honors. He was a life long member of Providence Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder, youth advisor and treasurer and as a very young man a violinist. Raised on the family farm in Weddington, he was the oldest of 6 children born to Richard and Hilda Hudson. He attended NC State University before enlisting in the US Army in 1942. After a year at Boston University, he saw combat in the European theater during WWII, surviving the Battle of The Bulge. He was a decorated veteran with a Purple Heart and 2 Bronze Stars. After returning home in 1946 he once again took to farming the family's land. He met his future wife Jane after breaking his leg in a tractor accident. They wed in 1967 and later adopted 2 children Marilee and Richard IV. His position on the Social Services board of Union County helped in the adoption process. The children were raised as he had been, on the Hudson farm. After leaving farming in the early 80s, he drove a truck for his brother Joe for a time then delivered both the Charlotte News and later the Charlotte Observer newspaper. After retiring at the young age of 84 he enjoyed gardening and mowing the grass at the homeplace. He and Jane traveled much in his later years. He lived a long and happy life especially enjoying family get togethers. The community is invited to stop by Gordon Funeral Service, 1904 Lancaster Ave. Monroe, NC on Tuesday, February 23, 2021 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM to sign the register book and pay their respects to avoid crowds. The family will not be present. He is survived by his wife Jane of 53 yrs, children Marilee (Jim) and Richard, brothers Harry (Myra) and Joe (Brad), sister Sally, grandchildren James (Anika), Maggie and Oliver, great-grandson Jack. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Online condolences may be made to www.gordonfuneralservice.com. Gordon Funeral Service and Crematory is caring for the Hudson family.