Mr. J. Richard "Dick" Hudson, 91, died on Monday, March 23, 2015 at Kline Hospice House. Born on September 18, 1923 in Frederick, MD, he was the son of the late Charles Edward Hudson Sr. and Marie Elizabeth Gill Haller Hudson, both of Frederick. Mr. Hudson was a graduate of the Frederick High School class of 1940. He graduated Carnegie Institute of Technology where as a member of the ROTC, he was inducted into the Army Enlisted Reserve Corps on September 4, 1942. He met his wife of 63 years, Margaret A. Arthur while completing his education. Mr. Hudson considered his wife to be his best friend and partner, he credited her with establishing the house, and for raising their children. They loved to travel, and did so extensively during their retirement. Dick was well known for his excellent outgoing personality, his sense of humor, and the ability to call a spade a spade. He loved to tell stories about himself, his family and his life experiences. Though he would tell the stories time and time again, they were always exactly the same story, and did not need embellishment. He found the wonder of fact was adequate in the telling, as opposed to those that let the facts interfere with a good story. Dick had many lifelong friends in Frederick and elsewhere, he was active in the Monocacy Canoe Club in its early formation. He served as the President of the Parkway school PTA. He was an avid bridge player, though his expertise in this area is not widely known. Dick possessed rather poor hand/eye coordination but enjoyed watching sports, especially football and supported the first Baltimore Colts, then later, the Washington Redskins. He believed the current uproar over a name that had been used for nearly 50 years was merely an example of political correctness gone awry. He was employed by Montgomery Ward & Company as an Industrial Engineer, worked for National Advertising Company, a subsidiary of 3M Company in charge of field operations for 5 years, worked for Rheem Manufacturing Co in Baltimore and then went into business for himself as a manufacturer's representative. In that capacity he represented Stout Sign Co. of St. Louis, Advertising South, Inc. of Memphis, Tenn., and other prominent promotional corporations. He also owned and operated B & H Screen Process Co, this activity, performed in his attic and later at the Groff Sign Company covered a litany of activities, such as the screen printing of thousands and thousands of "AAA" emblems for cars and large "CROWN" letters for the sides of the Crown Petroleum trucks. He was an active participant in the U.S. Army Reserve last serving as an instructor in The Command and General Staff School operated by the 2071st USAR School in Baltimore. He retired as a Lt. Colonel having served 30 years. After his father's death in 1953 he actively managed rental real estate together with his wife. Management was turned over to an agent after he had a series of heart attacks, etc. He has served as a member of the Board of Director of Fidelity Building & Loan Association until its merger with other institutions. He was active in the Republican Party for many years. He ran unsuccessfully for County Commissioner and for the House of Delegates. He was appointed Chairman of the Frederick County Government Study Commission. He served as a member of the Frederick City Planning and Zoning Commission under mayors Paul Magaha, Ron Young, Paul Gordon, and Jim Grimes serving as President for many years. He was one of the founders of the Men's Republican Club. Dick was a strong fiscal conservative, but often to the left of center on many social issues, and felt many of the Republican Party forays into that area were out of bounds. He was a member of Calvary United Methodist Church and taught a Sunday school class of teenagers for a number of years. He always retained a strong belief in God and Country. He was a life time member of the American Legion, and the Reserve Officers Association. Dick was a founder and the first President of the Property Owners Association of Greater Frederick, Inc. and a member of the Maryland Property Owners Network and was still actively engaged in their activities. Dick took great pride in providing decent housing at a reasonable cost. This is supported by the fact that he was able to fill vacant houses by word of mouth, and virtually never had to advertise. He worked with numerous tradesmen that maintained the properties in a similar and straightforward manner, and would work with them on a handshake and the honor of their word and his. Mr. Hudson is survived by one daughter, Lynda M. Horsman and husband Wayne Horsman, of Columbia MD and two sons, James R. Hudson Jr. and wife Nancy of Richmond, VA and Drs Marc A. Hudson and wife Diane of Harrisonburg, VA. Six grandchildren, Kate Walker and husband John, Sarah Norman and husband David, Ric Hudson and wife Erica, Victoria Barnes and husband Thomas, Chris Horsman and wife Lindsey and Andy Horsman and wife Schrese. He is also survived by 10 great grandchildren and counting, and by his nephew, Rob Arthur and wife Sandi. Dick and Peg tried hard to maintain an active involvement in the lives of their children and grandchildren, and friends, and will be missed. He was preceded in death by one brother, Charles E. Hudson Jr. The family will receive friends from 7-9pm on Friday, April 3, 2015, at the Keeney & Basford Funeral Home, 106 E. Church Street, Frederick MD 21701. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 4, at 11am, at the funeral home. Interment will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the J. Richard Hudson and Margaret A. Hudson Endowment Fund for Frederick Memorial Hospital's Emergency Room. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.keeneybasford.com
