Jack Hudson, 92, passed away on September 15, 2026, at Deaconess Gateway Hospital in Newburgh, Indiana, after a brief illness.
A lifelong Vincennes resident, Jack was born in Vincennes on June 30, 1934, to Grace Bernice Ramsey and Leonard Lester Hudson. He remained close to many classmates from Tecumseh Elementary, Clark Junior High, and Lincoln High School, graduating in 1952.
Jack had a colorful childhood shaped by family and beloved siblings. He developed a love for golf when, as a young teen, he walked 1.7 miles each way during summers to caddy at Vincennes Country Club. A generous member, for whom he caddied, loaned him clubs on Mondays so he could play with rounds with the other caddies.
As a Lincoln sophomore in 1950, Jack joined the school’s first golf team under legendary coach and Athletic Director John L. Adams, who drove the team to tournaments himself. In 1952, Lincoln tied for first among 16 Sectional teams and advanced to State. Members of the 1952 Golfing Alices included Jack, Leo “Pinky” Pinkstaff, Jim Collins, Richard Landrey, Richard Fox, Dales Moyes, and Phil Phelps.
After graduation, Jack served in the Army from 1956 to 1958, mostly at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where he learned radio and electronics, completed Corporal Guided Missile Training, and qualified as a sharpshooter. He then worked some 40 years for Packaging Corporation of America, managing a warehouse and delivering through Hudson Trucking Company, usually finishing in time for a late-afternoon golf game.
In 1955, Jack married Mary Jo Martin, and in 1966 they moved into a big house on Old Wheatland Road, remodeling it into the beautiful home where they raised their three children.
Jack was the kind of dad who played with the kids, including the Stevens boys next door and other friends of his children. A competition was almost always underway: baseball in the side yard, basketball using the backboard with all the kids’ names painted around the edges, broad jump down by the railroad track, gymnastics on the front lawn, minibikes on the backyard trial, and sidewalk races timed by Jack with his stopwatch.
Although Jack may have believed “a golf course is no place for dogs, kids or women—and not necessarily in that order,” he still took his kids to Bicknell for Sunday evening golf, singing and teaching them silly songs all the way there and back.
Because Mary Jo worked nights, Jack helped with homework, often employing his remarkable sense of humor. Afterward, he made popcorn and Pepsi while everyone watched shows like Hee-Haw and All in the Family. He rarely missed the kids’ games and performances, nor Sunday dinners with grandparents and the Martin, Pemberton, Hudson, Steckler and, on especially memorable occasions because they traveled from Pennsylvania, Wilt cousins. Regular activities included a card game called “Speed,” digging for coins in the old school yard with Uncle Wayne’s metal detector, and basketball in the North Methodist Church basement gym where calling fouls was strictly prohibited.
Famously called Papa Jack, he brought the same playful energy to his grandchildren—joking and gently teasing to make them laugh. He loved taking them to McDonald’s for pancakes and hash browns, welcoming them at his daily roundtable; and taking them fishing, where he insisted they bait their own hooks, with the reward of a fresh catfish dinner.
Jack was especially proud that his children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and their families earned well over 100 college degrees. Being a dad, uncle, and grandfather brought him immense joy, and he took those roles to heart.
With boundless energy and an indomitable work ethic, Jack could build, repair, or restore almost anything—televisions, radios, player pianos, houses, and vehicles. After retiring at 62, he renovated Grandma Hudson’s house and built a garage out back. There, he beautifully restored old cars, including a Jeep Wrangler Willys and a 1955 Hudson Hornet, impressing us with his resourcefulness and ability to locate and install eBay-sourced parts.
Jack was an avid golfer throughout his life, playing with friends and family locally, in Florida, and at Pinky’s course in Tennessee. He was especially tickled to join fellow 1952 Lincoln classmates Conway Wilson, Rex Early, and Jim Boyd in the annual Vincennes Education Foundation Homecoming Golf Outing, where their combined age eventually topped 322 years.
In later years, Jack played golf three days a week with the Seniors Scramble Group at Cypress Hills. His steady short game made him a valued teammate, and he played his final 18 holes with them just four days before his passing. He deeply cherished those friendships.
Jack spent the last two decades with his love and partner, Grace Deffendall. They traveled to visit families in Ohio, Florida, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia, and their stories abound. Among many things, they were known for serving delicious catfish and bluegill, caught from Jack’s little boat, and fried in the FryDaddy. The family is thankful for Grace’s beautiful impact on Jack and the Hudson clan.
All were profoundly grateful that Jack always showed up for family and friends—with a smile, a funny story, encouragement, and a generous spirit that made others feel accepted, valued, and appreciated. He loved those around him, expressed gratitude freely, and gave us the lasting gift of his strong and anchored presence.
Thank you, Jack, for a life well lived. You did it your way, and for that we will forever love you.
Jack is survived by his partner of almost 23 years, Grace Louise Deffendall of Princeton, IN; his sister, Marilyn June “Judy” Hudson (Bud) Steckler of Zionsville, IN; sisters-in-law, Linda Martin Pemberton (Carl) Shannon of Bedford, IN, Sharon Rose Martin (Dave) Mize of Vincennes, and Cheri Hudson Wagoner of Owensboro, KY; children, Susan Hudson (Kem) Coulter of League City, TX, Doug Hudson of Sarasota, FL, Lea Ann Hudson (Eric) Martinovich of Vincennes; grandchildren, Meghan Coulter (Erik) Nelson, Joel (Judith) Coulter, and Andrew (Johnathan Richards) Coulter of Houston; Sarah Hayden of Evansville, IN, Elliott (Laura) Hudson of Bloomington, IN and Aubrey Hudson (Rhett Laffoon) of Chicago, IL; Alex (Jess) Hills of Vincennes, Grace Hills (Rob) Denny of Indianapolis, IN, Annie Jo Hills (Cam Weyer) of Evansville; and great-grandchildren, Liliana and Emilia Coulter, and Freya Nelson of Houston, and Jaycee Hills and Alex, Liam, Addie, and Declan Cooper of Vincennes; and the children and families of Grace Deffendall, including Beverly (Tom) Marshall, Shirly (Al) Sansonetti, Marlene (Frank) Brittingham, and Cathy Jo Willey, grandchildren Jason Bolt, Madison (Dominic) Harrison, and Alyssa Brittingham (Adam Feig), Hunter Brittingham, Kirsten (Conner) Wilson, Lexus (Nick) Clark, and Spencer Brittingham, and great-grandchildren Dawn, Sophia and Nova Harrison, and Henry Clark. Jack also is survived by 18 adored nieces and nephews, and a large extended family and circle of friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his former wife Mary Jo Martin Hudson (Bob) Bird of Vincennes, his sister Betty Iris Hudson (Tom) Wilt of Hollidaysburg, PA, his brothers Robert Lester “Bob” Hudson of Vincennes and Leonard “Wayne” Hudson of Jasper, IN; sisters-in-law Margerite “Marg” Reed Hudson (Larry) Riggs of Zionsville, IN and Anita Ann Aders Hudson (Gene) Smith of Nokomis, FL; brothers-in-law Bruce Allyn Martin of Vincennes, George Pemberton of Bedford, Tom Wilt of Hollidaysburg, and Leonard “Bud” Steckler of Vincennes; nieces and nephews Julie Ann Hudson of Vincennes, Brad “BJ” Hudson of Jasper, Andie Ray (Noel) Hudson of Knoxville, TN, Jacqueline “Jackie” Leigh Hudson of Wichita, KS; and Grace’s daughter Darlene K. Storey, and granddaughter Carrie Bolt.
Visitation for Jack will be held Thursday, October 15, 2026, from noon to 2 p.m. at Goodwin-Sievers Funeral Home, 234 Broadway St., Vincennes. A Celebration of Life service, officiated by Rusty Thorne, will follow from 2 to 3 p.m. at the funeral home. A brief graveside service will then be held at Memorial Park Cemetery, 919 Willow St., Vincennes. All are invited to a reception from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Cypress Hills Golf Club (The Elks), 2715 Washington Ave., Vincennes.
In lieu of flowers, and should friends desire, contributions can be made in memory of Donald R. “Jack” Hudson to: The Salvation Army of Vincennes (https://give.salvationarmyusa.org) ); My Body and Soul Ministry new facility, League City, TX (www.bayharbourumc.org/MBSbuild); or to a charity of your choice.
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