Gary Hudson

Born in Nashville, TN on December 20, 1948 Departed on April 18, 2016 and resided in Gallatin, TN Visitation: Hendersonville Funeral Home Room: Stateroom ASaturday April 23, 2016 3:00pm to 5:00pmLife Celebration: Hendersonville Funeral Home Room: ChapelSaturday April 23, 2016 5:00pm to 6:00pm

Gary Hudson, age 67, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on April 18, 2016.
During the course of his forty-plus years in the workforce, Gary was an accountant for Gates Rubber, controller with Pirelli Armstrong, vice president of Denman Tire, and a manager with both Goodyear Tire and Celina Tent. He met one of his closest friends on his first day at Gates Rubber, and many other lives were touched by his professionalism and care in the workplace. Gary distinguished himself among peers and those under his charge and was greatly respected for his expertise.
Prior to joining the team at Gates Tire, Gary proudly served his nation in the United States Army. As the action of the Vietnam War came to a close so did his active service to our nation. However, Gary's patriotism remained strong and he was always proud of his selfless decision to serve. He was a man who enjoyed the simple things in life.
Gary, a family man at heart, cherished spending time with those he loved most. He and his family were blessed to have visited the vast majority of the 50 United States, Canada, and Mexico. Many happy times were had on their numerous Caribbean cruises, one particularly fond memory being that of their lofty helicopter tour over the Cayman Islands where they saw the sights, estates of the famous, the sea life, and ruins of a shipwreck through the crystal-clear water below. Highlighted with breathtaking sights, Gary and his wife Christine also enjoyed a memorable two-week-long trip to Mt. Rushmore.
As a father, Gary was ever-present and "never missed anything" in which his daughter Regina was involved. He was always there to cheer her on. The father-daughter relationship they shared was very special. At three years old, Regina would sit in her daddy's lap when he came home from work and sing a concert of two songs her father taught her, "T for Texas" and "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels." Regina knew to speak to her father if she ever received "no" as an answer from her mother. He even brought home a stuffed Jack Russell puppy as a companion for his daughter. Memories of Gary shooting the breeze and laughing at shrimp boils, over a beer at Honky Tonk Central while people-watching, or simply while on the back deck will live on forever in the hearts and minds of family and friends. He also spent quite a bit of time with Robbie, his son-in-law with whom he attended night races at Bristol Motor Speedway, took skeet shooting lessons, and fried the annual Thanksgiving turkey. Gary will also be remembered for his uncanny ability to maintain his cool, as "he was never in a bad mood."
His abilities in this area were particularly helpful when it came to his golf game and any gambling he did. Patience was certainly a strong attribute in Gary's life. He was an avid golfer and a not-so-avid gambler! Gary was a diehard SEC football and basketball fan who rooted for the UT Vols and the Arkansas Razorbacks. When it came to music, he loved that "old time rock 'n roll."
He was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Martha Elizabeth Hudson. Gary leaves behind his loving wife of 46 years, Christine Taylor Hudson; daughter, Regina (Robbie) Hudson Watts; aunt, Georgia (Sid) Durham; sister-in-law, Evelyn (Jim) Walton; treasured friend of 42 years and traveling buddy, John White; and three Jack Russell Terrier grand-dogs, Squeaky, Sqwaulk, and Wiggles.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gary's favorite charity, Shriners Hospitals for Children at www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/donate. Please be sure to click on the "Donate Now" link and select the "Honor/Memorial Gift" tab to specify a donation in honor of Gary.
The family will receive visitors on Saturday, April 23 from 3 p.m.-5 p.m. A Celebration of Gary's Life will follow visitation beginning at 5 p.m. All will be held at the funeral home. HENDERSONVILLE FUNERAL HOME, 353 E. Main Street, Hendersonville, TN 37075 hendersonvillefh.com 615-824-3855