Travis Charles Hudson, Sr., 77, of Orange, was called home to be with his Lord and Savior, Saturday, November 21, 2009, at his residence. Travis was born to Verna Mae Katherine and Travis Hudson on November 9, 1932, and remained a lifelong resident of Orange, Texas. He graduated from Lutcher Stark High School in 1950. He retired from E.I. DuPont in Orange following 40 years of service. Throughout his lifetime, he remained active in community and civic organizations of his hometown. He was a member of Little Cypress Baptist Church, served for 17 years on the Little Cypress-Mauriceville School Board; helped to promote the scholarship program of the Madison Masonic Lodge; as well as served on the LC-M Education Foundation Committee. Throughout his lifetime, Travis remained an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting and fishing with his family. He was well known throughout the community for the satsuma oranges he raised. His many repeat customers soon became valued friends.
Travis was preceded in death by his father, Travis Hudson; daughter, Glenda Naegelin; sister, Juanita Cooper; and grandparents, George and Abbie Hudson. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Melba Sanders Hudson and his mother, Verna Mae Katherine Hudson, both of Orange; his three children, Travis Hudson, Jr. of Orange, Beth Hudson of Beaumont, Dan Hudson and his wife Sharon, of Crosby; 3 siblings, Willard Hudson of Orange, Eva McClain of The Woodlands, Ronnie Hudson of Milsap; nine wonderful grandchildren, Sally Jungman and her husband Jason, of Lago Vista, Tara Day and her husband Cody, of Dayton, Robin Permenter and Phil Permenter of Fannett, Kate Permenter of Kingwood, Erica Klein and her husband Dakotah, of Joaquin, Travis Hudson, III of San Marcos¸ Krystin Hudson and Lauren Hudson, both of Mauriceville; eight precious great-grandchildren, Allison Bodin, Keilee and Layton Cade Day, Jillian, Emily and Kyle Jungman, Brooklyn Hudson and Ryder Klein; a very special cousin, Kenneth Hudson and his wife Anita, of Orange, along with many much loved nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends of many years.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 24, 2009, at Little Cypress Baptist Church in Orange, with Reverend David Turner officiating.
Masonic graveside rites will follow at Hudson Cemetery, under the auspices of Madison Lodge 126 AF & AM.
Visitation will be from 6:00-9:00 p. m., Monday at Claybar Funeral Home Chapel in Orange.
Serving as pallbearers will be Glen Haley, Dawl Cooper, David Cooper, Buddy Withrow, Sam Khoury, Terrel Burch, and Majed Jarrah.
In lieu of flowers, the family ask gifts be made to the Little Cypress Baptist Church Building Fund, Madison Lodge 126 Scholarship fund or the Little Cypress-Mauriceville Education Foundation.