George Eugene Judson, Jr.

All who knew George E. Judson knew him to be a man of extraordinary character and integrity. In kindness, generosity, humility, and courage he was both high and steady. George was honest to the core, gifted in intelligence, warmly humorous, self-disciplined and exact. He consistently placed others before himself. From these core qualities he lived a life of loving service to God, country, family, and community.

George Eugene Judson, Jr., 89, went home to the Lord on December 21, 2010. He lived joyfully with his beloved wife of 67 years, Ruth Taft Beakley Judson, 88, who survives him. Born in San Antonio in 1921, George graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1939 and from The University of Texas at Austin in 1943, earning a degree with highest honors in aeronautical engineering. George and Ruth married in 1943.

During World War II, George worked with Douglas Aircraft Co., and then joined the Navy in June 1944. He served honorably defending his country in combat in the Pacific theater, where he was an officer assigned to Amphibious Landing Forces. He was discharged in May 1946. George was recalled to active duty during the Korean conflict where he served as Lieutenant aboard an ammunition ship in the Sea of Japan.

After WWII George spent most of his professional life as a senior manager at the Judson Candy Company, a family-owned company founded in 1945 by his father, George Judson, Sr., and located at 831 South Flores currently the Judson Lofts condominiums with the aid of his three uncles, Bill, Jack, and Tom. George invented the still-popular ―Chewy Pralineâ€- in his home kitchen, as well as the ―Chocolate Divinity.â€- At its peak, Judson Candy produced over 100 varieties of candy.

From 1974 until his retirement in 1985, George was a partner in Loyd, Judson & Associates, a profit sharing and pension actuarial consulting firm.

For his entire life George was an active member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church where he served in many capacities, including senior warden of the vestry. He was active with the Boy Scouts of America, Rotary Club International, the San Antonio Country Club, and the Texas Cavaliers, where he reigned as King Antonio XLVIII in 1970.

George had a deep love of the outdoors where he hiked, camped, hunted, and fished with family and friends throughout his life. He led his children and grandchildren to become stewards of nature everywhere, and particularly at the family estate on Prue Road, the Circle J Ranch in Kendall County, and the Medina Ranch in Medina County. George was a long-time supporter of the Nature Conservancy.

George also had a deep appreciation of art, both modern and ancient. He developed an extensive pre-Columbian collection, most of which he donated to the San Antonio Museum of Art. He was an amateur archaeologist and participated in excavations regionally and in Central America and with the UTSA Archaeology Department.

George is preceded in death by his mother and father, George Eugene Judson, Sr., and Violet Millard Judson, his brother, Millard, his fourth son, Charles Jeffrey, and his grandson Joshua Judson. He is survived by his beloved wife, Ruth, their four sons and families Greg Judson, wife Stella, and granddaughter Kaye; Steve Judson, wife Mary Gail, granddaughter Page Judson Kruse, her husband Jonathan and great grandchildren, Dylan and Taylor Kruse; Ruth Taft Judson Knapik and husband Blake; Jim Judson, wife Gay and grandson Ben; Jeff Judson, wife Margaret and grandchildren Anna Louise, Will and George. He is also survived by his sister, June Judson Miller, June's four living daughters, and his brother Millard's three daughters.

Wife Ruth called him, a perfect husband. He had a consistently positive attitude, a wonderful sense of humor, and brought joy to everyone during his life up until the day he died. George will be greatly missed by family and friends.

MEMORIAL SERVICE

WEDNESDAY

DECEMBER 29, 2010

11:00 A.M.

ST. MARK'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

315 E. PECAN

The Rev. Michael Chalk officiating.