As a celebration of the life of Charles D. Hudson (1927-2012), the Archives and Special Collections at the Lewis Library has compiled a number of photographs and quotations in an exhibit which encapsulates Mr. Hudson's total commitment not only to LaGrange College but to his community.
Former Congressman George "Buddy" Darden was the first official visitor and we extend an invitation to everyone in the LaGrange community to remember the many accomplishments of this remarkable man.
Charles D. Hudson (1927-2012)
CHARLES D. HUDSON, age 84, of LaGrange, died Thursday, January 19, 2012, at his home. Mr. Hudson was born March 17, 1927 in LaGrange, the son of J.D. Hudson and Janie Hill Hudson. He attended LaGrange Public Schools, Georgia Military Academy (Woodward Academy), and Auburn University, where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He was awarded honorary doctorates from Auburn University, LaGrange College, and Mercer University. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and then returned home to serve his community. Mr. Hudson was a member and deacon of First Baptist Church on the Square. His service to the community was long and varied. He was a member of the Rotary Club of LaGrange for 61 years, serving as president in 1964-65 and had 33 years of consecutive perfect attendance. He was a Paul Harris Fellow, Will Watt Fellow, and Walter Murphy Fellow (Rotary's highest awards at the International, District, and local levels). He received the first annual LaGrange Rotarian of the Year award in 1996. Mr. Hudson served on the Board of Trustees of Fuller E. Callaway Foundation for 39 years and Callaway Foundation, Inc. for 31 years. He was also a Trustee of Callaway Education Association. Mr. Hudson was a partner in Hudson Hardware Company, owner of Hammond Hudson insurance agency, owner and president of Hammond, Hudson, & Holder insurance agency, board member of Hutchinson Traylor, Vice President of LaGrange Industries, partner in Hudson Maddox Enterprises, partner in PCH Properties, and Chairman of First Annuity Corp., LaGrange. He was committed to education at all levels, having served on the Board of Trustees and Chairman of the Board of LaGrange College, where he was acting President in 1979-1980. He was a former Trustee and President of Auburn University Foundation, and a former Board member of the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Arts at Auburn University. He was a member of the LaGrange Board of Education, and served twice as Chairman of the Board. He aalso served as an area director for the Georgia School Boards Association. He was a member of Beta Gamma Sigma at Georgia State University, and a former board member and Trustee Emeritus of Georgia Council of Economic Education. He was the 1996 winner of the William J. VanLandingham Commitment to Education Award, presented by the Georgia Council on Economic Education. Mr. Hudson's other community service includes Georgia Department of Corrections, former member and Chairman of the Board; West Georgia Medical Center, former board member and Chairman of the Board; Georgia Baptist Hospital, former member and Chairman of the Board; Scottish Rite Children's Hospital, former board member; Florence Hand Home Charitable Trust, Chairman of the Board; Camp Viola, former board member; Chattahoochee Valley Art Association, former board member; LaGrange Historic Preservation Commission, member; Chattahoochee Valley Art Association, former board member; LaGrange Historic Preservation Commission, Chairman; Troup County Historical Society, Member, Trustee, and Trustee Representative to the Executive Committee; LaGrange Chamber of Commerce former board member; LaGrange Jaycees, former member and President; and Newcomen Society of North America, former trustee. Mr. Hudson also served Citizens & Southern National Bank, LaGrange, board member; Citizens & Southern National Bank, Atlanta; C&S Investment Advisors, Inc., Atlanta; NationsBank of Georgia (now Bank of America), former member of the Board and Chairman of the Trust Committee; Sons of the American Revolution member; Georgia Gridiron Secret Society; American Legion, member; and Highland Country Club, Chairman of the Board. He was a member of Lafayette Club, Commerce Club Atlanta, LaGrange Gridiron Club, the Masons, Shriners, and Elks Clubs. Mr. Hudson received several awards over the years, including: Georgia Military Academy/Woodward Academy Distinguished Alumni Award 1971; Colonial Life Insurance Company President's award 1966, 1969, 1970, 1975-80; Optimist's Association Respect Law award 1977; Ga Assn AIA Public Service award 1977; Aetna Life & Casualty Leading Producer award 1979; and Georgia Hospital Association, Distinguished Service Award 1980.
Published in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on January 20, 2012
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