Ollie Thomas “Tommy” Hudson, Jr., age 73, passed away peacefully on January 9, 2026, at Duke University Medical Center, surrounded by the love of his family. | Born on July 10, 1952, in Durham, North Carolina, Tommy was the son of the late Ollie Thomas Hudson, Sr. and Hilda Pendergraft Hudson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Timothy Bryant Hudson. | Tommy is survived by his devoted wife of 45 years, Mary Carter Hudson; his beloved daughter, Olivia “Brooke” Hudson; his sister, Trina Hudson Campbell and her husband Steve; sister-in-law, E. Elizabeth Carter; brother-in-law, Joseph W. Carter, III and wife Caryn; nephews Christopher Bryant “Chris” Hudson, Corey Campbell (and friend Laura Kellems), and Joseph W. Carter, IV and wife Aliki; nieces Catherine Carter Mosser and husband John, and Lauren Carter Boone and husband Brock; great-nephews Carter John Mosser, Brooks Carter Boone and Brysen Boone; along with many cousins, extended family members, colleagues, and lifelong friends. | Tommy attended Fort Union Military Academy in Virginia and was a 1970 graduate of Durham High School. He earned his professional education at the Indiana School of Mortuary Science and the National Foundation of Funeral Service, becoming a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer in 1973. Funeral service was not simply his career—it was his calling and his life’s work. | A proud third-generation funeral director, Tommy followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, dedicating his entire professional life to caring for families in their times of greatest need. Following the death of his father in 1984, Tommy became the owner of Hudson Funeral Home. Together with his wife, Mary, he expanded and relocated the funeral home in 1986, continuing a legacy of service that has spanned more than a century. Known for his compassion, integrity, humor, and genuine kindness, Tommy served thousands of families with dignity, grace, and respect. Many who knew him said he made them feel like family and brought comfort and peace when it was needed most. | Beyond his profession, Tommy was deeply involved in his community. He served as a member of the Durham City Council and, at the time of his election, was the youngest person ever elected to that body. He was a Third Degree Mason and a member of Oak Grove Masonic Lodge #750, the Amran Shrine, and the Triangle Shrine Club. He was also active in numerous civic organizations, including the Oak Grove Exchange Club, Oak Grove Ruritan Club (President, 1991–1992), Durham Exchange Club, and Durham Sertoma Club, where he was named Sertoman of the Year and served as President during multiple terms. He participated in the Taylor Study Group and held leadership roles wherever he served. | Those who knew Tommy remember him as a true Southern gentleman—quick-witted, approachable, generous, and deeply compassionate. He was a trusted colleague, a mentor to many in funeral service, a steady leader, and a friend to all. His smile, humor, and unwavering commitment to helping others left an indelible mark on Durham and the surrounding communities. His legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched. | A visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Hudson Funeral Home. | A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. in the Hudson Funeral Home Chapel, with Reverend Hugh O’Shields officiating. Interment, with Masonic rites, will follow at Brier Creek Memorial Gardens. | Serving as pallbearers will be the staff of Hudson Funeral Home: Ray Watson, Chris Parsell, Caleb Hagwood, Jerrit Frazier, Kenneth Bullock, Jeffrey Upchurch, and Rocky Perez. Honorary pallbearers will be his fellow funeral directors and colleagues in the profession he so dearly loved. | In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Tommy’s memory to Duke Home Care and Hospice, Durham Rescue Mission, American Lung Association, or Shriners Hospitals for Children. | Tommy Hudson’s life was one of service, compassion, leadership, and love. Though he will be deeply missed, his legacy of caring for others will endure for generations to come. The Hudson family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the Emergency Room staff and the doctors and nurses of the Intensive Care Unit at Duke University Medical Center for their professional, compassionate, and dedicated care during this difficult time. |
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