Don Edward Hudson was born on February 6, 1931 in Kiowa, Oklahoma to Jim and Mary (Hobbs) Hudson.  He spent all of his school years at Kiowa, graduating in 1949.  He was an avid hunter and fisherman.  Don excelled at sports, lettering in baseball, football and basketball, and after high school even had a successful tryout for the then New York Giants baseball team before being inducted into the army.  He was also a member of the K Club and student council.

After graduating, Don served his country in the U.S. Army.  He received the National Defense Medal, The Good Conduct Medal, and was Honorably discharged as a Corporal.

Don attended college at O.S.U. in Okmulgee where he studied Industrial Electronics.  After working for the railroad, and at the prison, he began his civil service career in 1962 at the Naval Ammunition Depot as a Weapons Mechanic and later as Advanced Weaponsman.  With the transition to McAAP, he worked for the Navy's Special Weapons Detachment as an equipment specialist (ordnance) in the Navy Tactical Nuclear Weapons Unsatisfactory Reports Office of Record until his retirement in 1992.  The quality of his work was recognized by numerous awards including The Sustained Superior Service Award, Length of Service Award, Performance Appraisal Review System Performance Award, and the Naval Detachments Meritorious Unit Commendation.

While attending training for his job in Albuquerque, New Mexico, he met Jean Brunelle and they married on May 29, 1968.  Don was an active church member of Krebs First Baptist Church where he was an ordained deacon and taught the men's Sunday School class for almost 40 years.  Central to his life was his faith in Jesus Christ.  He lived out his faith daily and set an example for countless others.  His love and dedication to his Savior, his family, and his church family were a testament to his character.  Don, as well as Charlie Klink, Jerry London, Gene Heathcock and Coy Adams, were instrumental in the construction of the present church building and its maintenance for years afterward.

Don is survived by his wife of 54 years, Jean, of the home; son, Jim and his wife, Wendy of Broken Arrow, OK; grandsons, Brett Hudson and wife, Taylor of Antlers, OK, Cullen Hudson and wife, Jordan of Atoka, OK, Skylar McClain of Tulsa, OK; granddaughters, Hannah Hudson of Antlers, OK, Taryn Harrison-McClain and husband, Brian of Tulsa, OK.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Mary Hudson; two brothers, James and Ernest; sisters, Mamie, Vera, Lilly, Bessie, Myrtle and Ina Louise.

The family will conduct a celebration of life service on Saturday, August 20, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Krebs, Oklahoma with Pastor John Basden officiating.