Silas Hudgins

Silas, known to his friends and family as Tony, was born on August 1, 1952 in Columbus, Georgia to the late James Allen and Mary Evelyn Hudgins. Tony married the love of his life, Pamela Ruth Hudgins on May 3, 1980. Together, they created a beautiful family and were married for almost 45 years.

Tony's love for working in the car industry began with his career with Charles Levy, and moved forward working with Jay Stelzenmuller and Gene Miller at Jay Pontiac. The majority of Tony’s life was spent working as a General Manager and Partner for Carl Gregory Enterprises. He was also a co-owner and President of several Automobile Dealerships to include Brunswick, Georgia, Johnson City, Tennessee, and Auburn, Alabama. He was well respected for his management skills and training new salesmen in the car business. He was famous for his many years of Radio and TV advertising he referred to his potential customers as “friends” and took pride in “selling cars like candy bars”. Something everyone knew was that Tony would even dress up as Santa to hand out gifts to the children for the annual company Christmas Party.

Tony enjoyed taking his “Pride and Joy”, Mary Harp, on fun trips to the beach and Disney World, or even a quick trip to Waffle House, or a golf cart ride and was known as the fun Pop-Pop. He always encouraged the best grades and 100% effort. To him success was important and he rewarded report cards with cash gifts.There were many things Tony loved; he played music in his car and at work, both “The Oldies but the Goodies” or “ “Classic Rock”, table games whether it be Rolling the Dice or Hitting a Black Jack in “Vegas”, and he had a fondness of feeding the birds in his backyard every morning and the stray cats at the dealerships.

He was a member of The Ridges Golf Club of Johnson City, Tennessee and Moores Mill Country Club in Auburn, Alabama and Maple Ridge Golf Club in Columbus, Georgia. As an avid golfer, he participated in multiple charitable golf tournaments to support The American Breast Cancer Association and Juvenile Diabetes. As a fan of sports, Tony loved the Georgia Bulldogs and The Atlanta Braves, especially taking his children to the Braves baseball games when they were young. He could spend countless hours talking about SEC Football, PGA Golf Tournaments, and the Atlanta Braves with his big brother, Gary.

Family and friends were one of the most important things to Tony; he loved being with them whether he was traveling somewhere, enjoying a home cooked meal made by his parents, Pam, or his daughter Jenny, long drives in the country with his wife Pam, or just fishing with his best friend Will. Thanksgiving was his favorite holiday because not only did he get to spend time with his family but he got to enjoy a full spread of delicious favorites that were presented by his sister Myra. Nothing made Tony happier than spending time and telling very good jokes with his beloved wife Pam, his family, friends, and granddogs Joy & Mimi.

Tony is preceded in death by his parents, James Allen Hudgins and Mary Evelyn Hudgins; his sons, Robert Hudgins and David Kelly; his brother, Charles William Hudgins; and sister, Rosy Hudgins Reynolds.Tony is survived by his beloved wife, Pamela Hudgins; his daughter, Jenny Swift & her husband Parker Swift VI; his granddaughter, Mary Harp McMillen; his brother, Gary Hudgins; his sister, Myra Preston and her husband Ben Preston; along with several nieces and nephews.

Tony remarked to former Baker High School friends that one of his best life lessons stuck with him throughout his life, “Coach Roberts taught me more about honesty and integrity than anyone, and his stories are still fresh in my mind.”

In addition to the option to donate flowers, the Hudgins family has requested that donations be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in support of the charitable contributions of Silas.

A Memorial Service for Silas will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at 2:00 PM in Edgewood Hall with Reverend John Fugh officiating at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Rd., Columbus, Georgia 31907.