John Hudson

HUDSON, John Randall

John Randall Hudson of Decatur, Georgia, departed this world on September 5, 2024. He succumbed to the effects Covid 19-pneumonia. He was 42 years old and the youngest son of Gué and Bill Hudson, also of Decatur, Georgia.

John is survived by his loving parents; his brother, Will; sister-in-law, Dana; niece, Addie Harmer; and nephew, Max Hudson, of Atlanta, Georgia; and his brother, Burt; sister-in-law, Kimberly; and nephews, Jack and James Hudson, of Arlington, Virginia; his L'Arche brothers, Terry Hoschschild, Patrick Barlow, Corbin McKinnon, and Milo Hughes.

John was a proud graduate of Druid Hills High School. He was a founding member of L'Arche Atlanta, a community of people with and without intellectual disabilities who live together as a family. He happily lived with his L'Arche family for over eleven years.

He was an avid fan of World Wrestling Entertainment, music from Siri, dancing, food and 1960's rock and roll. He enjoyed talking on the phone with many people but especially with his brothers and Jenny Fluker, his long-time girlfriend. John greatly cherished his friendships and family. He was an avid planner who talked his Mom and Dad into having a house meetings every week, so they could keep their schedules straight.

John had an unfailingly positive impact on those he met. He was a bright light in this world. He was extremely proud of being a Founding Member of L'Arche Atlanta and of his job as an Assistant Stewardship Coordinator. When a gift was made to L'Arche Atlanta, the donor received a thank you call from John. Many people remember those calls fondly. He also went with Tim Moore, Executive Director of L'Arche, to solicit donors for gifts. John was single-minded and very good at raising money for causes he in which he believed.

John was a tenacious advocate for those in the disability community and the wonderful people who assisted them in engaging with life. The Templeton Foundation gave an award to L'Arche for its pioneering work in the disability community. John accompanied Tim Moore to the Atlanta Marriott Marquis to accept the award and talked about how L'Arche had changed his life. John and Tim ended their presentation with an unscripted acapella rendition of "This is the Day That the Lord has Made" to more than 500 people in the ballroom.

There are so many wonderful people to thank for helping John along his life's journey. The amazing L'Arche Atlanta Community gave him world-class care and love. The last two years were especially challenging medically. Special thanks goes to the assistants in the House during that time, Becca Van Galder, Lis Barrett, Taylor Foote ("Uncle Taylor"), Mary Brown, Isaiah Lewis, Anthony Howard, Dan Polito, Alena Ricks and Jesscia DeCuyper, the L'Arche Atlanta nurse.

The family is grateful also to Emory Healthcare doctors Jerard Cranman, his long-time internist, and Stephen Pastan, his nephrologist for years who saw him through his second kidney transplant, gave him outstanding medical care. They are brilliant physicians and even better human beings.

A Service to Celebrate John's life will be held at 2 PM, on September 21, 2024, in the Julia Thompson Smith Chapel on the campus of Agnes Scott College.

For those who wish, it is suggested that contributions in lieu of flowers, be made to:

L'Arche Atlanta

P.O. Box 2359 or www.larcheatlanta.org/donate-no