Jimmie M. Hudgins

Jimmie M Hudgins was a great man. Jimmie passed away on Friday, Feb. 19, 2016, after fighting a long battle with Parkinson's disease and lung cancer. He lived life to 90 years old and has left a legacy of accomplishments that we are proud of. Jimmie was born on March 12, 1925, in Cumby, TX, to Jones Marion and Ellie Morgan Hudgins. He had 9 brothers and sisters and he spent most of his growing years in Commerce, TX. As a young boy, Jimmie held 6 jobs to pay the family utility bill. He was quite a musician and played French horn in the East Texas State Symphonic Orchestra at the age of 14. After graduating from Commerce High School in 1941, Jimmie attended East Texas State College until December of 1942, when he joined the U. S. Navy. He was on active duty until September, 1945. He served his country in the Naval Combat Air Division as an Aviation Radioman and Aerial Gunner in a Curtiss Helldiver. After returning from the war, Jimmie attended California Polytechnic College and the University of Iowa. He was in the Naval Reserve until 1949. Music returned to the forefront in Jimmie's life when he returned to East Texas State Teachers College and received his Bachelor of Music Education degree in 1949. While in college, he was the Drum Major and a student coach of the boxing team. Jimmie later received his Master of Education degree from Stephen F. Austin State University. He was band director at Timpson and Port Arthur, before becoming the Director of Bands at Stephen F. Austin State College in Nacogdoches. He was the youngest college band director in the state of Texas at the time and, in his 9 years there, raised the band program to high levels of accomplishment. His fingerprint remains on the SFA programs today. Looking forward to having 3 kids in college at the same time, Jimmie left teaching for a more lucrative career. He held positions over the years with Tatum Music Company, C.G. Conn Ltd., H&A Selmer Inc. and Swicegood Music Company. In 1988, he returned to his first love, directing bands, when he accepted the position of Junior High and Assistant High School Band Director at Warren, TX. During this time, he also worked as a band clinician for Brook Mays Music Company and American Band Instrument. His last venture was with his business partner smoking meat and selling BBQ while still serving as a band clinician. Jimmie was honored with induction into the SFA Band Directors' Hall of Fame and the Texas Band Masters Hall of Fame and the SFA Twirl-O-Jack Jimmie Hudgins Scholarship was established in his honor. On June 20, 1950, Jimmie married Mabel Marie Laird. They had 3 children, Judith Lynn Wilson (Mark) of Tyler, Joel of Los Angeles, Cali., and Michael (Leila â€" deceased) of Colorado Springs, Col. Mabel passed away in 2015. They had 2 grandchildren, Mindy Sheree Gossett of San Antonio, and Brady Aaron Wilson of Tyler, and 2 great-grandchildren, Grant and Jenna. A visitation for Jimmie will be held at Stewart Funeral Home in Tyler, on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2016 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Burial will be Friday, Feb. 26, 2016 at 2 p.m. at DFW National Cemetery in Dallas. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to SFA Alumni Foundation Twirl-O-Jack Jimmie Hudgins Scholarship, P.O. Box 6096 â€" SFA Station, Nacogdoches, TX 75962. The family would like to thank the staff of The Heights of Tyler, TX, for the care they provided to our father. A short biography of Jimmie can be seen at www.pbmalpha.org/pbmhalloffamebio.php?HOF_Number=179