Dr. Roy Davage Hudson

On Wednesday, April 17, 2024, God called home one of His true Angels, Roy Davage Hudson, Ph.D., LL.D. Dr. Hudson was the first born of the late James Roy and Everence Wilkerson Hudson. He grew up in Chattanooga, TN with his younger brother Thaddeus (deceased).

In 1955, Dr. Hudson received his Bachelor’s degree (Summa Cum Laude) from Livingstone College in Salisbury, NC where he was Valedictorian. While attending Livingstone, he was President of the Student Government, Co-Captain of the football team, selected to the All-Eastern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference First Team, and Basileus of his Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Chapter. Upon being selected to the fourth Danforth Fellows class, Dr. Hudson enrolled at the University of Michigan where he earned his Masters of Science degree in Zoology in 1957. Dr. Hudson then transferred to Medical School to pursue a Ph.D. in Pharmacology which was conferred in 1962. Among his many firsts, Dr. Hudson was the first African-American to receive a Ph.D. in Pharmacology at the University of Michigan. He held honorary degrees from Princeton, Lehigh and Brown Universities.

For four years, Dr. Hudson served in the U.S. Air Force and was honorably discharged as a non-commissioned officer with the rank of Staff Sergeant. In the communications arena, Dr. Hudson was a Staff Announcer and Console Engineer at radio stations: AFRS in Anchorage, AK; WMFS in Chattanooga, TN; and WSTP in Salisbury, NC.

Dr. Hudson was a Vice President in the pharmaceutical Research and Development Division of The Upjohn Company (now known as Pfizer) in Kalamazoo, MI and Warner-Lambert/Parke-Davis, Inc. in Ann Arbor, MI. In this former position, he and his wife, Constance lived in Overijse, Belgium. Dr. Hudson later became a Corporate Officer of The Upjohn Company with worldwide responsibilities. During his professional career, Dr. Hudson served on a number of corporate, academic, and civic Boards of Trustees/Directors. He published widely in scientific journals, books, and research proceedings. Dr. Hudson wrote poetry (most unpublished), and at least one play (“And Still We Sing…The African-American Spiritual Journey As Nurtured By Song”) which was copyrighted and produced in Georgia and Michigan.

In 1956, Dr. Hudson married the love of his life, Constance Joan Taylor and they were blessed with two beautiful children; Hollye and David. From 1970-1976, Dr. Hudson was President of Hampton Institute (now known as Hampton University) in Hampton, VA. He also served as the Interim President of Livingstone College in Salisbury, NC. He held academic appointments at the Medical Schools of The University of Michigan and Brown University. At Brown he was also Associate Dean of the Graduate School. Dr. Hudson held Visiting Professorships at the University of Virginia Medical School in Charlottesville, VA and The Black Studies Division of Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI. As a special honor in 1989, Dr. Hudson was named King/Chavez/Parks Visiting Professor at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI.

Above all Dr. Hudson was a man who put God first. Wherever they lived, he led his family’s full participation in church life. In 2009, Dr. Hudson and his wife joined Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Roswell, GA. While there, he served in several ministries including the Men’s Sunday School Class; Men’s Chorus; Scholarship Committee and, Drama Production (writer/director). He was a Children’s Sunday School Drama supporter. Dr. Hudson especially enjoyed teaching Sunday School. In his own words, he wrote: “Everything positive which has been accomplished at my hand, I owe to the Lord, my mother’s prayers, and a loving and supportive wife and children.”

Dr. Hudson and his bride, Constance would have celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary in August of this year. He is survived by his wife and two children; Hollye Goler and David (Tiffani) Hudson; six grandchildren, Joshua Goler and Malcolm Goler, Alexis Hudson, Kyndall Hudson, Schylar Chapman, and Quinn Hudson; and a great-grandson, Zyair; along with a host of other relatives, friends, and his church family.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Dr. Roy D. Hudson’s memory may be made to Livingstone College, 701 W Monroe St, Salisbury, NC 28144, or Hampton University, 100 E Queen St, Hampton, VA 23669.