John Raker Hudders

"> Atty. John Raker Hudders
Atty. John Raker Hudders, was born September 17, 1934 in Allentown, PA, the son of Atty. William S. Hudders, and Roberta Raker Hudders. Jack was the grandson of John and Estella Raker, the founders of Good Shepherd Home and the nephew of the late Dr. Conrad W. Raker. He graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy (1952), Princeton University (1956, B.A.) and the University of Pennsylvania Law School (1959, J.D.). After law school he served on active and reserve duty in the U.S. Army Reserve Intelligence Corps, retiring with the rank of Captain. He joined the law firm of Butz, Hudders & Tallman (now Tallman, Hudders & Sorrentino) in 1960, and became a partner in 1966. He specialized in estate planning and corporate law. He was a member of the board of the Lehigh County Bar Association, and a member of the Pennsylvania and American Bar Associations, the American Society of Hospital Attorneys and the Lehigh Valley Estate Planning Council. His life was filled with community service. He was legal counsel and a former board member at the Good Shepherd Home of Allentown, founded by his grandparents the Rev. John and Estella Raker. He was also a founding member of the executive committee of the Good Shepherd Celebrity Classic golf tournament. He served as president, vice president and treasurer of the Baum Art School of Allentown and as a counsel for the Phoebe-Devitt Homes. He was also a member of the Board of Associates of Cedar Crest College, the Allocations Committee of the Lehigh County United Fund, the board of the Council Advisory Committee of the Minsi Trails Council of the Boy Scouts of America and the board of the Allentown YMCA. His government service included appointments as solicitor for the Whitehall Township Authority and the Upper Milford Township Zoning Hearing Board. At Princeton he was the head stage carpenter in the Triangle Club, a theatrical group, and a member of the Charter Club. After graduation, he continued his affiliation with the university as a member of the Alumni Associations Schools Committee and president of the Alumni Association of Eastern Pennsylvania. He stayed connected to the University of Pennsylvania Law School as a member of its Sharswood Law Club. He was a director of several companies, including Lehigh Valley Oil, Bally Ribbon Mills, Royal Manufacturing, The Silberline Company and was a member of the Rotary Club of Allentown, the Lehigh Country Club and the Livingston Club. He was a former deacon and a life-long member of First Presbyterian Church of Allentown. He was also a member of the Tunkhannock Creek Association, a fishing club in the Poconos, and the St. Georges Club of Bermuda. Jack survived a near fatal auto accident in 1997 and lived for another fourteen years with severe head trauma. His innate discipline, determination and pleasant demeanor continued until the end of his life. He died Monday, January 9, 2012 at the Phoebe Home surrounded by a loving staff of care takers and a devoted family. Lehigh Valley Hospital saved his life and Good Shepherd rehabilitated him on the same grounds where as a young boy he played basketball with the residents of the Home. He arrived at Good Shepherd in a coma and walked out with his sons six months later. He fought the good fight, defied all statistics and remained pleasant and cooperative until the end. Survivors: Jack is survived by his wife of 47 years, Sylvia, the daughter of the late Betty and Ed Stevenson; his sons William S. Hudders of Easton, PA and Thomas S. Hudders of Jackson Hole, WY; daughter Ann, son-in-law William; and granddaughter, Sydney Hudders McDonough of Branchburg, NJ. Jack is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law Jill and Al Douglass of Allentown, sister-in-law and brother-in-law of Tampa FL, Elaine and Patrick Perkins, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Everyone adored and respected Jack for his caring nature and generosity of spirit. non omnis moriar (not all of me shall die). Services: A service of remembrance will be held at 3:30 p.m. Friday in the sanctuary of the First Presbyterian Church, 3231 W. Tilghman St., Allentown. Call 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday in the J.S. Burkholder Funeral Home, 16th & Hamilton Sts., Allentown. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family. Contributions: Contributions to his charities will be very welcomed. His wife and children also created the John Raker Hudders Endowment Fund for continuing education for the Brain Injury Staff of Good Shepherd Home c/o Jeanette Edwards, Good Shepherd Plaza, 850 South Fifth Street, Allentown, PA 18103. Contributed in part by Edward Miller, former publisher to the Morning Call, and life long friend of Jacks.