James Hudgins

James Daniel (J.D.) Hudgins, son of John David and Blanche Clementine Lewis Hudgins, was born September 2, 1925 in the Fairview Addition in Stilwell. He was the youngest of nine children. He went home to be with the Lord and other family members July 1, 2016 in Stilwell at the age of 90 years and 10 months.

The family moved to the Peavine community in 1937 and he attended Peavine School where he was the Valedictorian, Salutatorian, President, Secretary, and Treasurer of his 8th grade class. He graduated Stilwell High School in 1944 then joined the Merchant Marines serving around the world, including the Cape of Good Hope and the Suez Canal. A veteran of the US Airforce, J.D. was stationed at Randolph Air Force Base in Texas during the Korean War.

Following his service, J.D returned home to Stilwell to begin working at the Agricultural Stabilization Service which gave him ample opportunity to make jokes until the ‘Conservation' was added in 1961. He met and married Lois Jane Morton on June 29, 1962 and they were blessed with three children. J.D. was a lifelong member of the Stilwell United Methodist Church where he enjoyed the weekly men's breakfasts and annual chili supper and served in almost every capacity from chairman of the Administrative council to Secretary Treasurer, as well as regular greeter and was known to shake the collection plate at members to encourage giving. He was member of the Cattlemen's Association, was appointed to the Adair County Excise Board, and was a member of the Masonic Lodge. JD served on the Board of Directors at Peoples Bank of Westville and did farm and cattle appraising. After working for the ASCS office for 34 years, he tried retirement and then tried his hand at managing the Peoples Bank Branch in Siloam Springs. He then returned to the ASCS office for an additional 5 years. After the second retirement, J.D. continued to find things to enjoy including smoking meat at Food 4 Less in Tahlequah for 10 years.

J.D. was well known for his mischievous personality and his love of playing jokes on all his friends and family. He also enjoyed raising cattle, gardening, reading farm magazines, and traveling with his family.

Preceding him in death were his wife Lois Jane, his parents; John and Blanche, three sisters; Alyene Keller, Cherry Hudgins, and Lou Nelle Rhodes, and five brothers; Calvin, Nathan, Howard, Frank, and Cliff.

He leaves behind one son; Jeff Hudgins and wife Julie of Stilwell, two daughters; Lynda Baker and husband J.B. of Fredericksburg, TX., Jan Reed and husband Casey of Sweetwater, OK., and six grandchildren: Jack David Hudgins, John Daniel Hudgins, Jayden Dale Hudgins, Justin Darth Reed, Laura Kay Reed, and Colton James Reed, as well as sister - in-law Edra Hudgins, in-laws James and Marge Morton of Yukon, OK., Dan and Johnnye Morton of Stillwater, and Don and Velma Morton of Gore, OK., and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

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