Joseph "Joe" Hudson

1931 - 2023

Joseph "Joe" Hudson
October 29, 1931 - January 21, 2023
Weddington , North Carolina - After living a life filled with love, action, and great stories, Joe Hudson, 91, of Weddington died at Atrium Hospital in Monroe, N.C., on January 21, 2023. He leaves behind his wife of 68 years, Edith "Brad" Hudson; their children Jamie Weiss (Chris), Cathy Williams (Floyd), Joseph (Josh) Hudson (Sandra), and Barbara Courtney; and three grandchildren, Jordan Hudson, Matthew Hudson, and Macy Courtney. He was predeceased by three siblings: Jack Hudson, Dick (Ditty) Hudson, and Catherine (Cat) Duckwall. He is survived by two siblings: Sally Tarpley of Canyon, Texas, and Harry Hudson of Laurel, Md. In addition, he leaves behind many nephews, nieces, in-laws, friends, neighbors, and Union County citizens who are grateful for the many ways he helped them out or made them smile over his lifetime.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m., on January 26, 2023 at Providence Presbyterian Church, 10140 Providence Church Lane, Charlotte, NC 28277, with visitation to follow in the Family Life Center. A private family burial will be held prior to the services.
He was born in 1931 to Hilda and Richard Hudson in their Weddington home, on land surrounded by family members – and by tenant farmers and farm workers who felt to him like family members. Growing up, he and his siblings often worked by their side, picking cotton or shucking corn, milking cows, and taking on other farm-related tasks. Throughout his life, he kept in touch with many of the farm workers and their family members, helping them when they needed it.
As a teenager in 1946, he saved his father when their house caught on fire and burned to the ground. Though Joe and his father were injured, everyone survived. After finishing high school in Waxhaw, Joe went to Wingate College, which was a junior college at the time. He then joined the U.S. Air Force, serving for four years during the Korean war. He served in Alaska before being transferred to Carswell Air Force Base near Fort Worth, Texas, where he met his bride-to-be. After getting married on base and finishing his Air Force commitment, Joe brought Brad to Union County, where they started their life together. Later, he earned a business administration degree at Queens College, becoming one of the last "Kings of Queens" – a term used for men who attended the college's co-ed classes before it became fully co-ed in 1987.
He combined his business background and his desire to serve his community when he founded Residential Collection Service Inc. (RCS Inc.) in Monroe in 1972. It started out as a garbage collection business, but grew to include septic services and porta potty rentals in Union, Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, and Stanly counties. It operated for more than 50 years before Joe decided to close it in October 2022.
He repeatedly gave back to the community. He was an active member of Providence Presbyterian Church, serving as deacon and elder. He loved baseball, and coached many little league baseball teams, welcoming players of all races while schools were still segregated. He served in the NC House of Representatives, was a County Commissioner in Union County for eight years, and also served as Union County's assistant manager. While serving in the NC House of Representatives, he introduced Bill 597 to incorporate the town of Weddington– an act that took effect in 1983.
As much as he accomplished during his lifetime, his biggest legacy is made up of the lessons, stories, and memories he leaves with his family, friends, workers, and others who remember his kindness, his sense of humor, his funny stories, and even his childhood pranks.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Hospice of Union County, 700 W. Roosevelt Blvd, Monroe, NC 28110 or to Misty Meadows Mitey Riders, 455 Providence Road South, Waxhaw, NC 28173.
Online condolences may be made at www.gordonfuneralservice.com
Gordon Funeral Service and Crematory, 1904 Lancaster Ave, Monroe, NC 28112 is caring for the Hudson Family.