Thomas Hudson

Thomas “Tom” Monroe Hudson of Emory, Virginia left his earthly home on Sunday October 20, 2024 at Johnston Memorial Hospital surrounded by several members of his large, loving family.

Tom was born July 22, 1939 and was a lifelong resident of Southwest Virginia. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Joyce Parris Hudson, and an infant child. 

He is survived by his wife, Mary Hudson; his children, Robin Curtis, April Kelly, Karen Ireson and Jeff Hudson and their spouses; 16 grandchildren and their spouses, 17 great grandchildren and their spouses, and 2 great-great grandchildren.

Tom lived his whole life nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains with a large and close-knit family. He and his first wife, Joyce, had 4 beautiful children that expanded their family and brought him so much joy before her death in 1996. In 2004 he met and married his second wife, Mary, and gained 2 more grown children and their families to love. One of Tom’s greatest joys was his family, those born to him and those who chose to be family.

 A tinkerer by nature, Tom was known county-wide for being an exceptional mechanic, welder, carpenter, and self-proclaimed inventor of “enhancements” to farm equipment and other heavy machinery. Many manual labor jobs in the area have once been his title; from welder to coal miner and farmer. The first working jackhammer mounted on a crane, to the best of his family’s knowledge, was his invention long before mass production. He taught welding at the Washington County Technical School in Abingdon for 12 years where he took great pleasure in being an educator and instilling his belief of hard work and strong work ethic into the minds of young men and women.

 The family will receive friends on Thursday, October 24, 2024 from 6 pm until 8 pm at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service. The funeral service will be on Friday, October 25, 2024 at 2:00 pm at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service with Pastor Jeff Wallace and Pastor Alan Umbarger officiating. The burial will take place at Knollkreg Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Devin Hudson, Craig Hudson, Levi Curtis, Nicholas Hudson, Tommy Hudson, Eric Reynolds, Chessie Howell, Mikey Cullop, Caleb Ireson, and Jake Eisert. Honorary pallbearers are Joe Waddell, Tony Hudson, David Hudson, Alan Umbarger, Lee Wright, Jerry Rhea, David Cox, David Calloway, Danny Calloway, Joey Davenport, Jessica Williams, and Eric Rutherford.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Church of New Beginnings, 10495 Forest Hills Drive, Glade Spring VA 24340 for the Vocational Facility Fund.

The family of Thomas "Tom" Monroe Hudson is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service & Crematory, Main Street location, 427 E. Main Street, Abingdon, VA 276-623-2700.