Hudson K. Gilliland

Hudson “Ken” Kinsley Gilliland died in the early morning hours of June 3rd, 2015. He was recuperating from a fall in which broke his pelvic bone. He was recuperating in the Promise Hospital located in Overland Park, Kansas. Previous to that he had been fighting a brave battle with kidney failure; and the need for dialysis several times per week for over a year. As was his nature, he fought a courageous fight, but finally decided it was time to rest in the arms of God where he now feels the healing hands of his maker. He was 90 years old. His body became frail toward the end, but his mind and soul remained as sharp as a knife. He was surrounded by his wife Judi, and his sons who guided him home with loving care.

Hudson was born on September 18th, 1924 in the small town of Agra, Kansas. His father Bert and mother Amy moved to Fountain, Colorado when he was nine. He grew up there with his older brother John, and his younger sisters, Laura and Yvonne. He is also survived by eight grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

It was in that country setting that he developed his enthusiasm for life, his keen mind, and the art of persuasion. His mother Amy gave him a huge sense of personal worth even though his family worked hard to provide life’s essentials. I remember him sharing stories of hauling garden fruits and vegetables in a buckboard wagon pulled by one of his family’s ranch horses to the dirt main street of Fountain, Colorado. It was there he learned bartering, and also met the town grocer Bob Christian, and his oldest daughter Margaret “Maggie”. This tall, dark and handsome young man, with the smile of Clark Gable and the wit of Mark Twain, sold his goods to Mr. Christian, and he stole the heart of his oldest daughter. They fell in love and married at a tender age.

Hudson and Maggie were married forty-four years. After graduating from Fountain High School, and before they could begin a family he was faced with the reality of World War II. Never one to back down or shrink from a challenge, he joined the Marines. His journey took him to the South Pacific where he flew fighter planes. He became a tail gunner, bombardier, and radio man. His planes were shot down twice as he fought bravely for his country.

Hudson is survived by four sons, Robert, Roderick, Douglas and John.

In 1996 he married his current wife of nineteen years, Judi. They shared an amazing love for each other, and had a magnetic attraction to “flea markets”. He and Judi could never say no to a good deal. One walk through their home illustrated this fact. He also loved to paint and had a lifelong passion for horses.

Hudson had a long and successful career in land development. His company, Land Banque Enterprises, developed communities in Kansas City, Texas, Colorado and Florida. He had a passion for “the deal” and often described himself as “a promoter”. He was extremely adept in creating and implementing ideas that found their way into a number of successful communities.

Hudson loved to travel and often was “on the road” to places all over the world. When he was at home, his interests always gravitated to tools, word games and projects he could undertake with his hands. He continuously preached that a good vocabulary and the ability to engage in conversation was a key ingredient to success. His intellect bordered on genius, and was put on display with his many paintings, writings and vibrant conversations. Perhaps that is what we will miss most is Hudson lighting up a pipe, offering an inviting smile, a twinkling of his Irish blue eyes and filling the room with stories and ideas that were full of color, wisdom and imagination. Hudson could spin a tail!

And now. . . I’m pretty sure Hudson is lighting it up and preparing to have a great conversation with the big man upstairs. Now that’s a conversation I’d love to hear.

Visitation will be from 12:00-1:00 p.m. followed by funeral service at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, June 6, at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri. Burial in Mt. Moriah Cemetery.