Virgil “Hud” Hudson
Virgil “Hud” Hudson
Virgil “Hud” Hudson
April 24, 1930 – June 23, 2018
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 88
Served With Honor ~ United States Military Veteran
Virgil “Hud” Hudson, 88, of Oskaloosa, died Saturday, June 23, 2018, at his home in Oskaloosa. He was born April 24, 1930, in Bedford, Iowa, the son of Virgil D. and Minnie Schmitt Hudson.
Hud attended school in Ottumwa. His high school basketball team won the state tournament his senior year. He graduated from Ottumwa High School with the class of 1949. Following graduation, Hud went to Parson’s College in Fairfield where he played football and basketball.
On September 27, 1951, he entered the United States Army. He served two years of active duty during the Korean War. Following his two years of active service, he transferred to the Army Reserves. He retired as a Colonel after 30 years of service.
On October 5, 1952, he was united in marriage to Carol Cropp at Ottumwa, Iowa. Carol died May 21, 2004.
Hud holds a Master of Education degree from Truman State University (now Northeast Missouri State University). He was a lifelong educator. He started out teaching Biology for a short time. In 1961, he took the job of vice principal at Oskaloosa High School. In 1968, the family moved to Boone where he was the principal at Boone High School until 1976. At that time, they returned to Oskaloosa and he became the curriculum director for Mahaska County. He retired from that position in 1992, after 31 years of service to education.
Hud was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Oskaloosa. He enjoyed music, playing his guitar, and singing. He was an avid sports fan, he enjoyed watching the competition no matter the sport. He had a lifelong love of basketball and played AAU basketball as an adult.
Hud had a thirst for knowledge, his favorite place to learn was in nature watching the animals and the birds. To further quench his thirst for knowledge he was an avid reader, he would read hundreds of books a year. He was also a member of the V.F.W. the American Legion, the Elks Lodge, and Kiwanis.
His family includes his two sons and their wives: Gary (& Susan) Hudson of Boone and Mark (& Severra) Hudson of Oskaloosa; five grandchildren: Brett Hudson, Daniel Hudson, Steven (& Heather) Hudson, Heather (& Joseph) Banks, and Rahni Holmes; two great grandchildren, Josey Banks and Kendall Hayes; two step grandchildren; four step great grandchildren; a brother and his wife, Don (& Diane) Hudson of Nampa, Idaho; a sister in law, Judy Cropp; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife, Hud was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Evelyn Grissom; a brother, Norbert Hudson; and a brother in law, James Cropp.
A memorial service for will be held Friday, June 29, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. in the First Presbyterian Church in Oskaloosa with Reverend Don Stribling officiating.
As was Hud’s wish his body has been cremated.
Burial of the urn will be in the Ottumwa Cemetery in Ottumwa.
A procession will form at 1 p.m. on Friday at the church for those wishing to attend the graveside service.
Military honors will be given at the graveside in Ottumwa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Visitation will begin Thursday after 11 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 5:30-7:30 to greet friends and relatives.
Memorials may be made to Stephen’s Memorial Animal Shelter.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Virgil “Hud” Hudson please visit the Bates Funeral Chapel Sympathy Store.
