James Dean Hudson 1933-2024

James Dean Hudson of rural Wood County passed away peacefully on Aug. 3, 2024 in Tyler.

He was born on Nov. 28, 1933 to Harry James Hudson and Grace Alberta (Swanson) Hudson in Fort Morgan, Colo. The family moved to Denver where Dean attended school. He enlisted first in the Colorado National Guard and then in the United States Air Force. He married Lorine Alyce Ivarson on Nov. 22, 1958 in Denver’s St. Joseph Catholic Church. They celebrated 53 years together before her death in 2011.

He completed his sheet metal workers apprenticeship and joined the Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association Local Union No. 9. He earned the level of journeyman and served as a mechanical engineer until his retirement in 1981. He was a member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and proud to have been a second-generation member of the Sheet Metal Workers Union, Local 9 for more than 65 years.

When he wasn’t working, he was racing, jeeping in the mountains or flying ultralight airplanes. He rode motorcycles with Harry’s Roamers and the Tea-Drinkers, both early motorcycle clubs in Denver. He had some great stories about the old days and the New Year’s Day Pikes Peak Motorcycle Hill Climb. He raced at Sturgis when it hadn’t yet grown in to the rally. In the late 1970s he qualified for his Sports Car Club of America license and built and raced cars. His garage was one of the coolest places to hang out along the front range. In 2018 he purchased a new Indian motorcycle to commemorate the first Indian he bought 60 years earlier when he was still at Barksdale AFB. In 2022 he came home with a kid-sized gas-engine motorcycle for around the farm. During recent winters, he built two bicycles with gas engines. Dean was also a voracious non-fiction reader. His mind was sharp to the end.

In 1996 he and his wife moved to Texas to be closer to their daughters and escape the cold Colorado winters. He built a home next door to his youngest daughter, and when his older daughter retired four years ago he helped build her home as well. His legacy of love and craftsmanship lives on.

He was preceded in death by his wife, parents and his three sisters, Lorraine Dickenson, Kay Hudson, and Ann Golden. He is survived by his daughters, Jenniffer Hudson Connors (Joe) and Julie Elliott (Wayne); two grandchildren, James Dylan Elliott (Charis) and Sara Elliott (Jeff); and five great-grandchildren, all of East Texas. 

His ashes will be interred at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Colorado. The family is deeply grateful for the loving care we received from the staff and volunteers at Hospice of East Texas.