James Randolph Hudson

James. R. Hudson, 56, passed away Wed. Dec. 3, 2014 at UNC Hospital. The fa LTC (r) James Randolph Hudson also lovingly called J.R., Randy, Boo-Boo, Pookie, Dad, and Pops died Wednesday, December 3, 2014 at the age of 56 following a long illness. He died peacefully with his family surrounding him. He leaves behind his heartbroken wife Clare Boyd Hudson and mini-schnauzer Layla the Wonderdog.  He is survived by his daughter Amanda Hudson Allen, son-in-law Tyler Allen and his only granddaughter, whom he adored, Isabel, all of Raleigh, N.C. Born in Dunn, NC on July 12, 1958, he is survived by his brother Joseph Robert Hudson, sister Doris Tribble and step- father Waitus Lambert all of Dunn, NC. He has nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and friends whom he treasured. J.R. obtained a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice and after more than 20 years in the U.S. Army, Military Police branch, he retired in 2002. He worked as an Area Manager for a private security company up until 2009, at which time he finally retired! We moved down to Southport, NC in 2009, where he was living at the time of his death. Because of his love of teaching, he was teaching criminal justice classes at Cape Fear Community College until his health prevented him from doing what he loved. In August 2008, he received a renal transplant and his new kidney was lovingly named Calvin. He experienced many bumps in the road following his transplant, but was a fighter and continued to do things he loved. He loved his man-cave and spent many hours reading, watching t.v., and working on his computer. He was a geek and loved to learn new technologies and loved to teach others about the ever changing technical world. He also loved photography and took very special pictures. He learned to cook and made family and guests many delicious items and started collecting cookware gadgets. He loved to take his Kindle down to the waterfront and spend afternoons reading. Towards the end of his life, he started helping a friend chop wood and take to the needy in Southport, NC. Four words sum up the wonderful life of J.R. Hudson: service, compassion, humor, and love. He served his country to the best of his ability and believed that being an Officer in the U.S. Army was a noble profession. He believed in helping others who were not quite as lucky as he had been. He was the most compassionate person and genuinely liked others, held no grudges, and enjoyed seeing and talking with other people. The love he provided as a husband was unconditional, true, and eternal. The deep love that he had for his only daughter Amanda was unbreakable and unconditional. He loved teaching students so he could open their minds to the things that intrigued him. He kept his humor even in the most desperate times to help me get through my worry and despair. He did not let the little things bother him. A Memorial Celebration will be planned for J.R. Hudson in early 2015. We can share all of the wonderful times that we experienced with him. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that anyone who knew and loved J.R. ensures that he/she is designated as an organ donor and if not, become an organ donor and give the gift of life. Because I could not stop for death, He kindly stopped for me; The carriage held but just ourselves and immortality. -Emily Dickinson I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. -2 Timothy 4:6-8