Hudson Jayne

I was sorry to hear about Hudson's recent passing. I went to school with
Hudson from the 6th. grade through the 11th. until I moved to California. I lived on the "reservation" just up the
street, My dad also worked at the institution. Hudson, and all of the Jayne kids were well liked as well as classmates and faculty----not a bad kid in the bunch!

Jack Smith (Cincinnati, Ohio

After bringing up Hudsons name on the internet, I found out about his passing. So sorry for the loss of a good friend. I was in the Unioto High School band with Hudson, and graduated in 1965. He played bass drum, and I marched beside him, playing the snare drum. I can remember him marching down the street twirling his sticks over the drum and behind his back, while I was avoiding not to get hit by them. What a guy! I saw him a few years ago at a restaurant in Chillicothe, and I asked him if he remember those good days. He replied, we had class, didn,t we? My thoughts and prayers go out to the family.

Richard Schoenholtz
Chillicothe, Ohio

A TRIBUTE TO UNCLE RED

I was very sad to hear the news this morning that Red had passed away. He has been on my mind all week, ever since I heard that he was gravely ill. I had prayed this morning that God would be with him in his pain, and I feel with certainty that that was the case. I can only imagine his suffering.

If you asked me to name the most unique individual I have ever run across in my 62 years, I would have to say it was Red. He was talented in so many areas, especially music! I have fond memories of sitting around family gatherings with John on his guitar, Red on the banjo, even sometimes Patsy on the accordion, and Roberta and I adding our vocals to group jam sessions. He knew every Irish and American folk song ever written. He was so well read and had his opinions on any subject that came up, often with his own unique twist on the matter. He could strike up a conversation with any unsuspecting stranger. I loved to listen to his accounts of growing up in Frankfurt and Chillicothe as part of the Jayne tribe. And he was an incredible dancer! I will never forget him and Roberta stomping it out to “These Boots Are Made For Walkin” at John and Donna's wedding reception. He certainly had his own unique style on the dance floor!

I used to proudly tell my friends how my uncle was a member of the SDS and the Black Panthers during his college days. Pop used to admit, “I lie a lot to be interesting.” Perhaps this was true of Red as well; regardless, his tales of his exploits never failed to interest and amuse me even if they were often on the incredible side!

He loved a family get-together as much as anybody and was usually the star of these wherever we gathered. I remember coming down to the hotel lobby the morning after Jennifer's wedding to find Uncle Red asleep on the sofa in the lobby. He had had a late night at the casino and didn't feel like making the effort to go up to his room! When we all met in Nashville for the Cunningham's anniversary bash, Red impressed my daughter-in-law Marti with his attentiveness and kindness toward his granddaughters. He loved kids – Tina's and Reggie's as well as my own children and Jack, my only grandchild he got to know. He was great with them because he could get right down there on their level and communicate with them in a way few other adults could. I know that his granddaughters in Idaho will miss him terribly in the weeks and months to come.

At times in his life he was a heavy drinker, a chain smoker, and an all-around wild man. He never seemed to sweat the small stuff in life. A frequent visitor to Shreveport, the ladies who hand out free samples at our local Sam's Club knew him well because that's where he and John would go for lunch and dinner whenever Donna was out of town. Frugality was another one of his strong suits.

The one memory I would most like to re-live with Red would be Reggie's wedding. Now that was some quality Jayne family time together! I am so glad I was invited and that I attended. It touched me, too, that Red came to both of my children's weddings, although they were neither one the colorful event that Reggie's turned out to be!

Reggie and Tina, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your families. I share your loss. But I have this mental image of Red dancing and singing his way through the Golden Gates, sweet-talking St. Peter into letting him in so he can entertain the angels!

I had the privilege of having some great conversations with this gentleman. I'm so sorry for your loss.

May happy memories of your father comfort you now. I am so very sorry for your loss. But may his love, his spirit, and his example live on in your memories and bring you peace, always remaining. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. He made such a difference to my family and so many people in so many ways, we cherish all the memories!