Gregory Richard Judd

Gregory Richard Judd was a man of wise and reasoned words, and of understated peacefulness; he had an adventurous spirit and a tender heart; he was a man devoted to his passions and to the people with whom he shared them. Greg died on December 20, 2012, at the age of 65.

Greg never found an interest at which he couldn't excel. He could be an artist and a poet, an upholsterer and electrician. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, bicycling and impromptu road trips. His sense of fashion was renowned. Foremost, Greg loved; he loved family, friends, friends of family, friends of friends, children of friends, church family members… And he loved serving others. He allowed himself to be known, and by listening actively and intently, he encouraged others into speaking, to sharing themselves with authenticity. Although with his children, Andrew and Leah, he would note vehemently that he wasn't "running a @%#!% Noah's ark here," his tender heart never failed to find room for another four-legged family member.

Greg didn't just profess his faith (although he would); he lived it. Church relationships and service were important to him throughout his adult life—especially at Clarendon UMC in Arlington, VA, and since 1994 at Northwest Hills UMC in Austin. He was devoted to the Kairos prison ministry through the UMC, and to the prisoners he served through it, as well as to teaching the Disciples bible study, year after year.

Greg was born on November 2, 1947, in Clinton, IA, to Carrol ("Bud") Woodworth Judd and Vura Victoria Stone, who predeceased him. He grew up the youngest of four sons, often escaping with his brothers to the cabin in the muddy Mississippi swampland for weekend adventures. He married his high school sweetheart, Linda Lou Jordan, in 1969. They were married for 37 years, until her death in 2007. He received his bachelor's degree from George Mason University and his MBA from Rutgers University. While working for Marriott in Arlington, VA, he traveled to Guatemala to bring home to Linda and son Andrew their precious adopted daughter and sister Leah—a deeply meaningful experience that he loved to recount on the anniversary of the homecoming, December 21, every year. The family moved to Austin in 1994, when Greg began serving as president of Accent Travel. He retired from Accent in 2008. Greg found his love renewed and married Beth Reel Watson in 2008; friends who knew them found joy in the joy they brought to one another.

Greg is survived by his wife Beth; by his son Andrew; by daughter Leah (and husband Daniel); by his brothers Larry (and wife Susie), Ron (and wife Diane), and Allen (and friend-in-law Sandy); by many nieces and nephews; by his ranch buddies; and by his beloved friend and four-legged companion, Maggie. "Uncle Greg" will be greatly missed by Isaac and Grace, Wesley and Kara, and by all who knew and loved him.

Visitation is at Northwest Hills UMC, 7050 Village Center Drive, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm on Wednesday, December 26. The memorial service will be held at the church on Thursday, December 27, at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made in Greg's name to Northwest Hills UMC, to Kairos Prison Ministry, http://kpmifoundation.org/index.php, or to the charitable organization of the donor's choice.