Herman J. Hudson, Jr.

Reverend Herman Joy Hudson, Jr, 90, of Odessa, Missouri passed away on Monday September 3, 2018 at home.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, September 6, 2018 at the Ralph O. Jones Funeral Home, 306 S. 2nd St., Odessa, MO, 64076, 816-633-5524. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, September 7, 2018 at the First United Methodist Church, 301 S. 1st St., Odessa, MO, 64076. Burial with Military Rites will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville, MO. In lieu of flowers, memorial are suggested to the Odessa First United Methodist Church Memorial Committee. Memories of Reverend Hudson and condolences for his family may be left at www.ralphojones.com or on our Facebook Page.

Reverend Hudson was born on September 1, 1928 in Nelson County, Virginia to Herman Joy Hudson, Sr. and Emily (Whitehead) Hudson. He graduated in 1949 from Fleetwood High School in Nelson County, Virginia. On November 5, 1951 Herman enlisted in the United States Air Force and served in the Korean War. He earned the National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. On November 4, 1955 he was Honorably Discharged. On April 12, 1957 Herman was united in marriage to Margaret Anne (Bowland) Hudson in Knob Noster, MO. She preceded him in death on October 22, 2012. After marrying Anne, Herman earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Central Missouri State College in Warrensburg and then received his Masters of Divinity Degree from St. Paul’s School of Theology in Kansas City, MO. Herman was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Odessa. He served as a Minister for over 60 years in Odessa, Sedalia, Napoleon, Kansas City, Chillicothe and many other communities. In addition to spending time with his family and friends, Herman was a lover of classical music and an avid reader.

Survivors include two sons, John Hudson and wife Tracy of Willow Springs, MO and James Hudson and wife Connie of Paola, KS; four grandchildren, Christopher Hudson, Craig Hudson and fiancé Kaitlin McLees, Cheryl Katchmarik and husband Geoff, and Heather Hudson; great-grandchildren, Jonathan Porter, Joshua Hudson, Kalli Moore, Erika Brown and many other step-great grandchildren; a brother Leslie Hudson of Lovingston, VA and a sister Shirley Wagner of Buena Vista, VA; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and wife, Herman was preceded in death by a grandson, John Daniel Hudson and a sister, Nancy Harris.