Mr. Van Raymond Hudson Jr.

Mr. Van Raymond Hudson Jr., 80, of Barbourville, passed away Friday morning, January 30, 2026 at his home. He was born October 23, 1945 in Cincinnati, OH, the son of the late Van R. Hudson Sr. and Irene Kissinger Hudson.

Van lived a life defined by service, faith and generosity. A devoted family man, he found his greatest joy in loving and supporting those closest to him. He was a longtime deacon at the Swan Pond Baptist Church, where serving the church was one of the great honors of his life. His faith guided him daily, and he especially loved reading his Bible and sharing its wisdom with others.

Professionally, Van dedicated his career to helping others, working for many years as a social worker. He had a particular passion for serving families and children in the foster care system, with a special focus on special-needs adoptions, and also worked in child protective services. His compassion extended beyond his profession through his many years of involvement with Kentucky Special Olympics, where he served as a regional director and championed athletes with enthusiasm and care.

After retirement, Van discovered a new passion in woodworking. An avid and gifted craftsman, he delighted in transforming reclaimed wood into beautiful, meaningful creations. He especially enjoyed making one-of-a-kind pens from wood or acrylic and giving them to others. He took great joy in crafting gifts with care and love, and in teaching his skills to friends and family.

The great love of Van's life was his wife, Wanda Adams Hudson, whom he met while they were students at Cumberland College and where they both graduated in May 1968. They were united in marriage on August 26, 1967, beginning a partnership marked by devotion, laughter and faith.

Van also found joy in life's simple pleasures-watching University of Kentucky basketball, sharing "dad jokes" and spending time with those he loved. He was honored as a Kentucky Colonel, enjoyed genealogy and collecting baseball cards.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Dian Hudson Morency and grandparents, William G. and Maude Heidecker Hudson and Purnell and Marie Ellen Walsh Kissinger.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Wanda Hudson; his children, Cameron Hudson and wife, Mynekia, and Beth Goins and husband, Michael; his grandchildren, Rachael Lanter and husband, Austin, Emily Mendoza and husband, Austin, Nathanael Partin, Meghan Goins, Madeline Goins and McKenna Goins; great-grandchildren, Eliza James Lanter and Theo Hudson Lanter, with Lillian Dove Mendoza expected in April. He is also survived by a beloved extended family, including his brother-in-law, Wayne Adams and wife, Dianna, nieces and nephews and the church family he cared for deeply.

Van Raymond Hudson Jr.'s life was a testament to quiet faith, steadfast service and enduring love. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

His funeral service will be conducted at the Swan Pond Baptist Church Friday, February 6 at 1 P.M. with Dr. Dustin Sims, Dr. Roy Lucas and Dr. Michael DeLand officiating. He will be laid to rest in the Partin-Wilson Cemetery.

Casket bearers will be Austin Lanter, Austin Mendoza, Nathanael Partin, Michael Goins, Scott Partin, Bradley Shields, David Warren, Jaxen Warren and Jeffrey Adams. Honorary bearers will be Gerald Stacy, Douglas Shields and Sam Creasy.

Friends may visit at the church Friday after 11 A.M. until the funeral hour.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions go to the Swan Pond Baptist Church Building Fund in his memory.