O. Raymond Hudson

O. Raymond Hudson, 85, of Newark, passed away on Thursday, November 7, 2013, at his residence. He was born on July 26, 1928, in Little Rock, Arkansas, to the late John and Jesse (Harper) Hudson. Raymond was a member of the Church of the Messiah in Westerville. He was active in the church through the years and various church organizations. He enjoyed golfing, bowling, playing baseball, and, in his younger years, boxing (having been esteemed as a Golden Glove boxer).Ray grew up near a school for the deaf, and learned sign language in order to communicate with the boys at the school. His high school education was interrupted when he went to live with his sister, Thelma, who lived in Baltimore, Maryland. After working for a short time as an usher at the Hippodrome Theater, Thelma encouraged Ray to return home and finish his education. Taking his sisters advice, Ray returned home, where he graduated from Little Rock High School in 1948.A self-educated and self-motivated man, with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, Ray began working for the Associated Press as an office boy at the age of 19, working numerous positions throughout his career and retired as the Chief of Communications in Columbus, Ohio, after more than 50 years of dedicated service.He is survived by his loving family; wife, Clara (Marsh) Hudson, whom he married on October 2, 1948; three children: Marsha A. (Mark) Stewart, Kevin R. (Sandra) Hudson, and Carrie L. (Mark) Wilkin; five grandchildren: Raymond (Jen) Williamson, Matthew (Amanda) Hudson, Erica Hudson, Amie L. (Jeffrey) Yankey, and Kyle D. Wilkin; six great-grandchildren: Cade Williamson, Ty Williamson, Reis Williamson, Alexus Dumas, Jeffrey Yankey,III, and Hunter Yankey; three sisters: Eva Hudson, Geneva Smith, and Willene Patterson; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.In addition to his parents, Raymond was preceded in death by his daughter, Christi L. Williamson; his son, David Hudson; two brothers: Virgil Hudson and John Newton Hudson, Jr.; five sisters: Thelma Giordano, Evelyn Hudson, Louise Mitchell, Novelle Wilkerson, and Loree Johnston; and his son-in-law, John Williamson.A graveside service, celebrating Raymonds life, was held on Monday, November 11, 2013, at the Fairmount Cemetery in Jacksontown, officiated by Pastor Tom Olsen.In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions in Raymonds name be donated to: Licking Township Fire Association, 6800 Phil Lynn Parkway, P.O. Box 228, Jacksontown, Ohio 43030 OR The ALS Association, 1275 K Street NW, Suite 250, Washington, DC 20005Online condolences may be sent to www.hoskinsonfuneral.comHoskinson-Schoedinger Funeral and Cremation Service, Hebron, was honored to care for the Hudson Family.