George Hudson,

George was born May 7, 1935 in Los Angeles, California to George McKee Hudson, Sr. and Donna(Pratt) Hudson. He had an older sister, Donna Marion.He was educated in California at Page Military Academy in Los Angeles and Los Angeles High School.In 1953, George decided to enlist in the Army and make it his career-more specifically, the Army Band. He was an excellent French Horn player. George enjoyed a long career with the Army, retiring in 1982, having obtained the highest enlisted rank of E-9, Sergeant Major. During his Army service he was awarded the Legion of Merit medal, the Bronze Star Medal with Four Oak Leaf Clusters, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Good Conduct Medal, nine awards, Army of Occupation Medal-Berlin, National Defense Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Armed Forces Expedition Medal-Berlin, Vietnam Service Medal with one Silver Service Star, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal, Vietnam Cross of Galantry with Palm-Unit, Vietnam Training Service Medal-2nd Class, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Achievement Medal, Marksman Badge with an Expert M-16 Rifle Bar.It was through his sister, that he met his first wife, Barbara. This marriage produced his three children, Mark, Bruce and Cynthia. Shortly after Cynthia's birth, George and Barbara divorced. In the years that followed, he was married four additional times. The longest marriage of twenty two years was to Brigette.George volunteered for several tours of duty to Vietnam. After Vietnam, George was stationed in Germany.While stationed in Germany, he met his fourth wife, Brigette, and became a stepfather to her two children, Joey and Christina.During his military career, he earned serveral citations, awards and commendations for himself and for the bands he led. One of his proudest moments was leading the Army Band in the January 20, 1981 Inaugural Parade for Ronald Reagan.After retiring in 1982, he moved his family to Tacoma to be nearest his father. In 1983 George became a Corrections Officer for McNeil Island Corrections Centaer. He enjoyed his work at McNeil until a back injury forced him to retire in 1998. In 1993, he was named Corrections Officer of the Year.In George's spare time, he enjoyed music, pinoccle, his big TV and traveling. His most recent trip was six weeks last summer in Hawaii. He helped deliver Meals on Wheels for the Kent Senior Center. It was here that he met his good friends, Keith and Kristi. Keith and George became an unbeatable pinoccle team.It was complications from an operation that ended George's life. His wish to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery has been granted.He is now on his final journey home and a reunion with his first wife, Barbara, his father, mother, sister and his son, Bruce.Rest in Peace, Uncle Pete!A celebration of George McKee "Pete" Hudson, Jr.'s life will be held privately by family members.All arrangements are under direction of Rill Chapel, Pendleton-Gilchrist Funeral Home and Crematory.