Ralph Manuel Hudson

RALPH MANUEL HUDSON began life May 24, 1937 and passed peacefully at home on November 24, 2024. He was born in Grove Hill, Alabama, to Wilmer and Melva Hudson who passed along a pioneer spirit he steadfastly maintained throughout his life. After graduating from high school, because he was the only one with a vehicle, he gave three buddies a ride to the recruiting office and ended up joining the United States Air Force along with them! That decision changed the course of his history. After enlisting, he continued to hitchhike back to Alabama to see his love and soon married Eva Janell McKinley in 1957. They quickly welcomed their sons, Bret Michael and Bart Mitchell to the family. After Janell’s parents passed away, Ralph became the legal guardian of her four younger siblings, Connie, Betty, Gordon, and Rayford, and soon received orders to the Philippine Islands. With two stripes on his sleeve and just 24 years old, he took his new family to a duty station halfway around the world, where they welcomed their daughter, Susan Michelle.

Returning stateside, he continued his proud Air Force service and love of aircraft. He earned his private pilot license which led to many happy years of flying. After 23 years of dedicated service in 11 countries, he retired from the Air Force as a Senior Master Sargeant with two Bronze Stars and numerous other awards and accolades. He quickly began a second career as a manager with McDonnell Douglas and spent eight years in Saudi Arabia. Of his many interesting stories, one he liked to tell was about being arrested after a car accident in Saudi that wasn’t even his fault. But everyone knows Ralph had connections and he was bailed out in short order by a Saudi Prince!

He and Janell traveled the world twice over, visiting 24 countries hand in-hand and heart-to-heart. On a trip to Venice, he learned the heartache of not putting film in the camera. Ralph would tell everyone that no picture could capture the love and life he shared with Janell, but they certainly tried.

Ralph was outgoing, charismatic, and never met a stranger. He loved celebrating the accomplishments of his family and many friends, as well as his own. He was a proud 32nd Degree Mason with a membership of more than 60 years. His early habit of giving rides to buddies turned into him driving children to Shriner Hospitals throughout the southeast and driving many vets to Veteran’s hospitals. His devotion to Janell never wavered and he was by her side every moment of her long battle with dementia. While truly devastated by her loss, he continued to serve his church as a deacon and the community he loved with the dedication and reliability he was known for. He was an unofficial father, grandfather, and mentor to many, and will be dearly missed.

If you were ever looking for him, all you had to do was listen and follow the whistle. He could create an ear worm that would stay with you for weeks.

Ralph is survived by his three siblings: Paul, Raymond, and Linda; his three children Bret, Bart, and Susan; and grandchildren April, Bret Jr., Mitchell, Taylor, and Morgan.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the ABBA Shriner’s Transportation Fund in Mobile. Mail checks to 7701 Hitt Road, Mobile, AL 36695, or for credit card call 251-633-5561.