Hudson passed into the presence of his Lord and Savior Sunday February 9, 2020.  He is spending his first Sunday worshiping the Lord Jesus Christ in person.   He was 92

He was born in Houston, Texas on September 7, 1927.

He grew up in Houston and was a member of the Louisiana Gospel Hall where he trusted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and asked Him into his heart.

He graduated from Lamar High School in 1944 and attended the University of Houston.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, his dear wife Betty (Hill) Smith of 54 years and his younger brother W.A.

He is survived by his two daughters, Marybeth Smith of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Janet (Smith) Tucker of Ochelata, Oklahoma and his sister, Alma Jean (A.J.) Oates and her daughter Carolyn Oates of Richmond, Texas, a sister-in-law Mary Hill of Windsor, Ontario Canada and many nieces and nephews.

He is also survived by many loving and caring friends that have adopted him as their grandpa, great grandpa…. father…

There are so many folks that have been faith in their visits with Hudson and he loved keeping in contact with friends and family from way back and would call them every couple of months to check on them.

From one of his nephews in Canada:

Hudson joined the Naval Reserves in 1945 after basic training in San Diego, California he was assigned to Naval Air Transport Service in the South Pacific.

He was recalled during the Korean War in 1952 and was assigned to the U.S.S. Marshall.  They sailed from San Diego to Korea where they began their first combat tour off the coast of North Korea.  Later they patrolled the Formosa Straits between Formosa and China.

He joined Continental Oil Company in 1950 at Houston, Texas in the Controllers Department.  In 1958 he transferred with Conoco to Ft Worth Texas as the Accounts Receivable Head Clerk.  Another transfer to Ponca City, Oklahoma and in 1985 he retired.

He married Elizabeth Penman Hill on February 10, 1951 in Windsor, Ontario Canada.  He said he was 24 and he still believes beyond a shadow of a doubt that their wedding was made in Heaven!

After retiring it didn't take Betty more than a few days to say they had to find something to keep them busy so they were active in "Meals on Wheels" in Ponca City a Nutrition Center that delivered nutritious meals to the needy or shut-ins.

Gene moved to The Country Club of Woodland Hills Tulsa in 2010 and was living there until a couple of falls and was at St Francis Hospital for a few days before a room became available at Clarehouse Hospice until he passed.

One Christmas he received a new camera for Christmas, and he had been busy taking pictures everywhere he went.  AND spending hours at Walgreens getting them developed.  At least one time he sat for 4 hours waiting – the machine was down to process his pictures…

He loved taking pictures of others and getting copies made so he could share those moments with them.

I understand he was quite the social butterfly and went on many of the trips that the Country Club planned.  I have also heard that he had chocolate candy always available for the many lady friends that were affectionate to him.

I'm sure there are many trips that his friends took him to restaurants that Marybeth doesn't know about when he went off his diet.  He liked to say, "what happens at Braums; stays at Braums!!

He was a true prayer warrior and attended East Tulsa Bible Chapel.  His love for his family, extended family, and friends is a true testimony of his love for the Lord Jesus Christ.  Hudson always had a gospel track to leave in the men's room or on the table with the tip. He loved to share the love of Christ with others whether he knew them or not.

His family thanks each and everyone of you that took the time to visit with Hudson, prayed with Hudson and spent time with Hudson.  Taking him under your wings and treating him like your family which he really was.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial donations may be made to Sooner Bible Camp, C/O:  Al Schiete, 10201 Sand Plum North, Edmond, OK 73003 or Clarehouse, 7617 S. Mingo Road, Tulsa, OK 74133.