Clifton "Cliff" Lawrence Hudson, 94, passed peacefully from this world on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024, surrounded by his loved ones. Cliff retained his humor and good nature to the end as he bravely battled a series of health setbacks.
Cliff was born in Flint on Aug. 16, 1930, and lived for 65 years in Grand Blanc. He spent 37 1/2 years as an employee of Buick Motor Division Flint operation.
His life was marked by his gentle demeanor, honesty, loyalty, dedication to his family and his Catholic faith. Cliff's sense of humor was a signature, as he was quick with a joke and appreciated life on its own terms.
He had wide interests, including membership in the Knights of Columbus, where he was a member of the Singing Knights Male Chorus Group. He was a faithful follower of the Detroit Lions, Detroit Tigers and the University of Michigan football Wolverines. Cliff enjoyed reading western novels and watching western movies and television shows and was a curious traveler.
His travels included visits to Isle Royal National Park, Death Valley National Park, Denali National Park and various other Alaskan sites, The Ozarks, Florida, Washington D.C., Joshua Tree National Park, Nashville, Tennessee, Sault Ste. Marie, Canada and of course Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
His life of service included 21 years in the National Guard, including time during the 1967 Detroit riots, and received jungle training in Panama, where he ate snake and monkey meat, recalling that they both "taste like chicken."
Cliff was a member of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Burton and was a former usher at Holy Family Catholic Church in Grand Blanc.
Regarding his mortality, two of his favorite sayings were "you never know when, where or how," and "the boy upstairs knows when it's my time to go."
He was devoted to everyone around him and was beloved for his kind generosity. Cliff was known for consistently sending out Christmas and birthday cards to family containing "the loot."
He will be desperately missed.
Cliff Hudson is survived by his children, Gay Ann Roos (husband Michael) of Harrietta, Mich., Patrick (wife Peggy Jamieson) of Williamston, MI, Jill Tyler (husband Wade) of Readyville, TN, Lee (wife Kelli) of Flint, Mich., 14 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; two stepchildren, Gary Choiniere (wife Carolyn deceased) of Goodrich, MI, and Ron Choiniere (wife Vicki) of Spring Lake, North Carolina and sister, Mary Warner of Flint, MI and brother, Francis Hudson (wife Bonnie) of Davison, MI.
He was preceded in death by a son, Glen; wives, Barbara Hudson and Virginia Choiniere; brother, Russell Hudson; sisters, Ilene Devault and Margaret Ancic, and parents, Charles and Ada Hudson.
Mr. Hudson will be at the church 10am and Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11am Monday, December 30, 2024 at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 1227 East Bristol Road, Burton, Father Georges Roger Bidzogo officiating.
Visitation 2-7pm Sunday at the Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 West Hill Road, Flint. A Tribute Service will be held 6pm Sunday evening at the funeral home.
Burial in Crestwood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations be made in his name to Medical Team Hospice Service, 5406 Gateway Centre Blvd Suite F, Flint, MI 48507 or the Knights of Columbus Council #695, 2415 Bagley St., Flint, MI 48504 for their designated fundraisers to benefit mentally impaired individuals, Special Olympics or other charities. Please indicate "in honor of Clifton Lawrence Hudson."
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