James Hudson
Jan. 15, 1930 — Sept. 1, 2021 (age 91)
SHARON — James Hudson, 91, passed away Wednesday afternoon (Sept. 1) in his home, with his family by his side after a long and beautiful life.
Mr. Hudson was born Jan. 15, 1930 in Pittsburgh, a son of John and Mary (Yankura) Hudson.
Jim's mom died when he was 6 and he was raised in foster care from the age of 8 to 14 in Walkertown, N.C.
In 1944 at age 14, he embarked on a cross country odyssey of the United States by means of hitchhiking where he met many interesting characters and got into a lot of interesting situations. He never shared these stories with his own children until they were grown.
In 1946, he returned to North Wilkes-Barre, N.C., and enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force at age 16.
He was a golden glove boxer.
Jim was stationed in the Arctic as a radio operator and Frankfurt, Germany, participating in the Berlin Air Lift. He was honorably discharged, reaching the rank of sergeant in 1949.
He moved to Sharon where he ultimately met his wife, the former Mary Kathleen "Kitti" O'Brien.
Jim began his career at the former Sharon Transformer Division of the Westinghouse Electric Corp. before becoming an educator in the computer technology field throughout the country.
He was employed by IBM, MAI, Philco and NASA.
Giving his own children what he didn't have growing up, Jim and Kitti moved their five children back to Sharon in 1965 for them to be close to his wife's large family.
He then worked for various electrical contractors until he began his own business, Vanguard Electric. He provided the electrical services at Sharon Regional Health System for more than 25 years and retired in 1995.
Jim was an avid bike rider and, along with his wife, participated in multiple RAGBRAIS (Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa) and other bike touring events.
He also enjoyed riding motorcycles, which he did into his late 80s.
Jim was a ham radio operator and a history buff. He researched his own genealogy as a hobby.
Most of all, he loved "family time," particularly the time he shared with his grandchildren, who affectionately called him Poppy.
Surviving are:his wife of 66 years, Kitti, whom he married Aug. 6, 1955; sons John Michael (Mariangela) Hudson of Hermitage and Mark S. (Pamela) Hudson of Transfer; a daughter, Susan D. (Eric) Hunter of Hermitage; a son-in-law, Shawn Hardesty Sr. of Carolina Beach, N.C.; a daughter-in-law, Lynda Hudson of Brookfield; grandchildren Jamie Lynn Fargo (Scott), Lauren Van Tassel (Brad), Paul Hudson (Carla), Justin Simeon (Chelsea), Alainna "Laney" Knight (Randy ), James M. Hudson, Eric Hudson, Tyler Hudson (Kaitlin), Hallie Gargano (Tyler), Jonathan Hudson (Lindsey), Alexandra Hudson, Maxx Hudson, Julian Hudson, Shawn Hardesty Jr. (Autumn), Patrick Hardesty, Kristen Hardesty, Luke Hudson (Jacquelyn), Blase Hudson, Erin Hunter and Kellan Hunter; and great-grandchildren Owen, Ella Kate, Addi, Cash, Keegan, Willow Mae, Parker, Reagan and Isla Grace.
In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by a son, James R. Hudson; a daughter, MaryLynn Hardesty; and a sister, Mary Brown.
The family suggests memorial contributions be directed to The MaryLynn Hardesty Foundation, (supporting the awareness and continued treatment of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer) 700 Carolina Beach Ave., N. Carolina Beach, North Carolina 28428.
There are no calling hours.
Friends may email condolences to the family at www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Charles D'Auria for his care and SRHS Hospice for their care and guidance.
A private Funeral Mass will be held for the family in the Church of Notre Dame, Hermitage, with the Very Rev. Richard J. Allen, E.V., pastor, as celebrant. Interment will be at St. Mary's Cemetery, Hermitage, with military honors.
This story was originally published September 5, 2021 at 3:01 PM with the headline "James Hudson."