Dennis Jack Hudson

Someone with an infectious personality that was ornery and funny are just a few ways to describe Dennis Hudson.

A few events that occurred in 1944 include the invention of sunscreen by Benjamin Green, who later founded the Coppertone Company, Office of Strategic Services (OSS) is formed later known as the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), President Franklin Roosevelt signs the G.I. Bill of Rights into law, and on July 1, 1944 Jack and Carol (Faulkner) Hudson welcomed the birth of Dennis Jack Hudson in Argos, IN. He was the middle child born between two sisters who, as they got older, always said he used to spend extra time in the mirror getting his curl in front just right.

In high school he was active in track and field. His passion for running got him through several marathons, including the Boston Marathon, later in life. Denny attended Argos High School and graduated with the Class of 1962. He also took annual license training courses for his CDL. Denny met Judith Bradbury on a blind date, and after a short time, on June 14, 1964 he married Judith in Fort Wayne. He worked for General Electric for over 30 years as a truck driver until his retirement in 1997. After retiring from GE Denny went on to start a landscape business that was still active until he suffered a stroke in September. He just refused to entertain the idea of being in retirement. Denny's simple explanation for a hard work ethic and secret to success was "You've got to kiss a lot of frogs"!

Denny was an active Shriner, Freemason, and member of Saturn Christian Church. He built a mini-rod for tractor pulling, spending years going as fast as he could. As he slowed down later in life Denny turned to refurbishing old tractors and taking part in parades and plow days. Yearly vacations were spent in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. He also loved traveling out west with Judith for as long as they could, then later staying closer to home and grilling out at his daughter Jill's house. Denny's fun and personable style brought him many friends for life. Being in his company was always a recipe for hearty laughter and happy times when you were with him. Anytime Denny spoke to his son-in-law Steve or his grandsons Ross and Jacob, he always started off with the phrase "My son".

He enjoyed his barley pops with Steve and Scott Morgan and talked about them until his last breath. Denny will be dearly missed by all that loved and knew him so well. Dennis J. Hudson, age 74, of Columbia City, IN, passed away at 12:37 am on Friday March 15, 2019 at Visiting Nurse Hospice Home, Fort Wayne.

Survivors include his wife of nearly 55 years, Judith Hudson of Columbia City; daughters Jill (Steve) Elkins and Lori Hudson, both of Columbia City; grandsons Ross and Jacob Elkins, both of Columbia City; sisters Linda (Jerry) Walston of South Carolina and Brenda Ganshorn of Pierceton. He was preceded in death by his parents. Friends may call from 4:00-7:00 pm on Tuesday March 19, 2019 at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services for Dennis will be held at 10:00 am on Wednesday March 20, 2019 at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Broxon Cemetery, Columbia City. Memorial contributions in memory of Dennis may be made to Passages, Inc. Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send the family an online condolence.