John Gipson Hudson

John Gipson (Sonny) Hudson, age 87, of Shoal Creek, AL passed away Sunday morning August 18, 2013 in his home at Shoal Creek Club after a two year battle with cancer. He was born September 28, 1925 in Sylacauga, Alabama. He attended Sylacauga HS prior to serving in WWII in the Army Air Corp. He was trained for officer duty at Penn State and went on to become a Second Lieutenant and Navigator of a B29 aircraft. After the War he returned to Alabama and attended Auburn University. He graduated in 1948 and began a career with Avondale Mills where he worked for 43 years and retired as President in 1990. He married Peggy Fichtner of Bradenton, FL in 1951 and they shared 62 wonderful years together.

He is preceded in death by his mother: Ione Moore Hudson and father: Jon Gipson Hudson; infant son: John Bruce Hudson; granddaughter: Katharine Susan (Katie) Lloyd. He is survived by his wife Peggy and three children: Nancy Hudson Lloyd (Jim) of Birmingham, AL; John Hudson Jr. (Penny) of August, GA; Suzy Hudson Kuhlman (Mark) of McKiney, TX; seven grandchildren: Jimmy Lloyd (Monica) of Oakland, CA; Lauren Lloyd of San Francisco, CA; Kristen Hudson of Brooklyn, NY; Grace Hudson of Nashville, TN; Jack Hudson of Auburn, AL; Matt Kuhlman and Kathryn Kuhlman of McKinney, TX.

All who met John became a friend for life as he truly loved people and developing relationships with people. He loved the game of golf and his dear friends (members and employees) at Shoal Creek and Birmingham Country Club (member of The Rollers). He also had numerous friends in the textile industry, including fellow employees, customers and competitors. John was also very active in Sylacauga’s Community and served on many boards. He was prominent in the Church serving as a Deacon and Elder at Shades Valley Presbyterian Church as well as First Presbyterian in Sylacauga. He most recently worshiped at Mountain Brook Baptist Church.

A private family graveside service will be held for the family on August 23, 2013 and a Memorial Service will be held for friends and neighbors, that afternoon at 3:00 pm at the Shoal Creek Town Hall. The family will receive guests following the Memorial Service in the main club house to celebrate John’s life. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the “Shoal Creek Foundation” or the “Wounded Warriors Project.”