Eldred Paschal Hudson Sr., 85, of Madison, died Sunday, January 11, 2009 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens. He was born September 15, 1923 in the Phoenix community of Putnam County to the late Charles Monroe and Lucy Paschal Hudson. He grew up in Putnam County and attended Putnam County schools. He was a graduate of North Georgia College and the University of Georgia, where he received a BS degree. He served as an officer in the Pacific Theater and was separated from service in 1945 as a First Lieutenant. He remained an active member of the reserve and National Guard and retired in 1966 with the rank of Major after 22 years of service.

Mr. Hudson spent the majority of his business career as a banker, staring in Eatonton in 1948 and moving to Madison in 1953. He retired from the First National Bank of Madison as CEO and Executive Vice President in 1986. At various times he served on many business and community boards, including the Board of Directors of SunTrust Bank of Northeast Georgia, president of the Madison-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce; Chairman of the Morgan County Industrial Authority; Chairman of the Morgan County Industrial Board, Inc.; Chairman of the Morgan County Planning Commission; member of the Madison Investment Company, Inc.; member of the Madison Airport Authority during airport construction. During his banking career he was twice elected chairman of the 10th District of the Georgia Bankers Association and served six years on the Board of Trustees of the Bankers Association’s Insurance Trust. After his retirement from banking he was an estate planner and tax preparer for many years. He also served on the Morgan County Board of Tax Assessors as a member and later chairman. Mr. Hudson was a faithful and active member of the Madison First United Methodist Church, where he chaired the Finance committee for many years and served on various boards and committees throughout the church. He was an avid golfer and was a founding member of the Gold Tee Club. He was also a member of the Georgia Senior Golf Association. He was especially proud that he had scored three hole-in-ones during his lifetime.

In 1943 he married his childhood sweetheart, Jean Tatum of Eatonton, who preceded him in death October 20, 2008 after 65 years of marriage. He was also preceded in death by his six siblings.

Survivors include a daughter, Janie Hudson Williams and husband Perkins Williams of the Greshamville Community in Greene County; two sons, J. Edward Hudson of Greensboro and Eldred Hudson Jr. of Charlotte, N.C.; two grandchildren, Laura Williams and Bob Williams, two great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Funeral service was held Wednesday, January 14 at the First United Methodist Church in Madison with the Rev. Lane Jenkins officiating. Interment was in the Madison Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were Jimmy Hudson, Joe Hudson, Harry Hudson, Harry Ferris, Ken Lewis and Charles Baldwin.

The family requests that any memorial be made to the First United Methodist Church of Madison, 296 S. Main Street, Madison, GA 30650 or the Madison-Morgan Cultural Center, 434 S. Main Street, Madison, GA 30650.

Published in the January 15 edition.