Horace "Ed" Edward Hudson Sr.

Horace “Ed” Edward Hudson Sr.

On Sunday, December 19, 2021, Horace “Ed” Edward Hudson Sr., went home to be with his Lord and Savior while in the hospital recovering from a recent accident. Ed was 82 years old.

Ed was born in Lancaster, South Carolina, on March 28, 1939. He was the middle of three children born to “B.F” Bill and Clara (Adams) Hudson.

Ed attended school in South Carolina until the 11th grade, when he enlisted in the US. Navy at the age of 17. While in the U.S. Navy, he completed his High School Equivalency diploma and was stationed in California, Alaska and Japan. Ed was a Navy Airman and was assigned to air intelligence with the Patrol Squadron Nineteen. He was awarded a Good Conduct Medal and a Realm of the Arctic Circle Blue Nose certificate for crossing the Arctic Circle.

After discharging from the U.S. Navy, Ed returned to South Carolina, where he joined the South Carolina Highway Patrol as a State Trooper. After serving 10 years, he headed west to Montana, where he opened a small business, “The Hudson Shop,” repairing TVs and appliances. The call to serve was too great, and Ed joined the Montana Department of Highways GVW Enforcement Division, where he reached the rank of MCS Bureau Chief before retiring after 21 years of service.

In 1993, Ed began a successful and dedicated career in real estate. He was an Associate Broker for Century 21 in Helena, Montana, where he also served on the City of Helena Zoning Commission. In 1996, Ed and his wife Harriett (Cole) Hudson moved to Billings, Montana, to be closer to family and began his work with Montana Territories Real Estate Group. In 2007, The H.E. Hudson and Associates/Hudson Realty Company was formed. Ed was Broker/Owner for many years. During his real estate career, Ed was President of the Billings Association of Realtors, President of the Montana Association of Realtors and Billings Realtor of the Year. He received the Golden Eagle Award from Don Floberg for his exceptional service in the Montana Association of Realtors. He was very involved with the Real Estate Political Action Committee and served on numerous local, state and national committees as a realtor/member. Due to declining health, Ed retired from real estate in 2018.

Along with all of the above, Ed served on the Billings Police Commission, and was a member of the Al Bedoo Shriners, and a Master Mason, receiving his Mason Apron.

Ed was a member of the Gideons International West Camp and had traveled to Russia to distribute Bibles and share the Good News of Jesus Christ. He served as the Executive Director of the Southern Baptist Foundation of Montana for nine years. Ed was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church, where he served as a Deacon, Sunday School Director, Personnel Committee, Missions Committee, and various other roles. Ed was dedicated to his family, his profession and never missed an opportunity to serve or donate to a good cause. Ed often volunteered his time to cut hair for the guests at the Montana Rescue Mission.

During his free time, he enjoyed golfing, antique cars and spending time with his grandkids. Ed also enjoyed being a handyman and never left a tree untrimmed for as high as he could reach.

He was preceded in death by his father, B.F Hudson; his mother, Clara Hudson; and his sisters, Beatrice Porter-Eagle, and Willie Mae Loftin.

He is survived by his wife, Harriett (Cole) of 33 years; his two sons, Edward (Lisa) Hudson Jr, and Paul (Linda) Hudson; and stepchildren Todd (Tatiana) Cole and Tami (Tim) Hawkins. He had nine grandchildren: Shania, Mikayla and Isaiah Hudson, Kyle, Colin, Cody and Nikolai Cole and Taylen and Tacie Hawkins. He had numerous nieces and nephews.

A gravesite interment will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022, at the Yellowstone National Cemetery (Military Honors).

A memorial service will be held at 12 noon on Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022, at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 328 Shiloh Road, Billings, Montana, with reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gideons International.