May 28, 1954 ~ July 11, 2015
Kelly Burton Hudson was born on May 28, 1954, the second child of Howard E. Hudson and Janet Darlene Hays Hudson and named after his uncle, James Burton Hays. He was born at the Caldwell General Hospital on Main Street in Caldwell, KS and the family lived east of Caldwell until Kelly was 3 years old, at which time they moved to N Osage Street.
Kelly's grade school years were spent playing with the neighborhood kids in the one way park, swimming at the local pool, riding bikes around town, and spending time at the family farm. During his high school years, Kelly was active in football, basketball, and various clubs and organizations at Caldwell High School. He graduated from CHS with the class of 1972. During the summer months he drove a tractor for various farmers in the area, and he worked at the Caldwell Sale Barn on Saturdays.
Following graduation, Kelly moved to Tulsa, OK where he attended Spartan School of Aeronautics. He married Sherry Gaston in 1974. Kelly joined the U.S. Army in 1978 and after completing boot camp at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO he was stationed at Torii Station, Okinawa, Japan for 3 years. While serving in Japan, his daughter, Tracy Michelle, was born. The family returned to Tulsa, Ok in 1978 and he attended Tulsa Junior College. It was while attending college that he answered an ad he pulled from a bulletin board at the school that led to the next 34 years of foreign service with the CIA.
In 1987, while in Granada, British West Indies, he married Gabrielle Summa and together they had three children, Anjuli Jacqueline, Dillon Michael, and Patrick Kelly.
Kelly was posted in many places around the world, which gave him the opportunity to visit many more. Following an illustrious 34 year career with the CIA, he retired in 2012. By the end of his career, Kelly had met countless dignitaries from around the world, traveled over 6 continents, and lived in many major cities. Some of those include his first assignment Katmandu, Calcutta, Islamabad, Karachi, Kabul, Seoul, Tokyo, Riyadh, and his last assignment, London, England.
Kelly was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) in 2007 and made many trips to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX from as far away as London, England.
In April of 2014, Kelly's life came full circle when he moved back to Caldwell just two doors down from where he grew up on North Osage when he reunited with his high-school sweetheart and soulmate, Gayla Lee. They were married on September 12, 2014, and for the next 10 months they lived, laughed, loved, and enjoyed everything that small town life had to offer.
Kelly fought his cancer battle with courage and dignity. He left this life on Saturday, July 11, 2015, he was 61 years old. He leaves behind his wife, Gayla, sons Dillon (Calah), and Patrick, daughters Tracy (Eric), and Anjuli (Ryan), step-daughter, Jillian Crumbliss (Richard), step-son, Brett Oathout (Cara) step-grandchildren Piper, Richie, and Marrin Crumbliss, mother, Darlene Lowry, brother Joel (Kelly D.), and many aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.
Kelly was preceded in death by his father Howard Hudson and brother Danny Hudson.
Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 17, 2015 at the Presbyterian Church in Caldwell.
Memorials may be given in memory of Kelly to the Caldwell Alumni Association or to the charity of your choice.
Leave Condolences
Condolences
Colletta McGregor
Family and Friends - 07/13/2015
OMG Gayla, I can't get you off my mind! My heart aches for you as I can only imagine what you are going through. I wish I could find the words to express how I feel about your loss. I thank God you two found your way back to each other even for this short time. Cherish the time you had, the memories you made, and let family and friends help your through this difficult time.
Love ya!
Colletta & Steve
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Alexis Mast
Family and Friends - 07/13/2015
Tracy, my heart is thinking of you. So sorry for your loss.
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Sandy L. Flores
Family and Friends - 07/13/2015
When we lose a loved one here on earth, we gain an angel in heaven that watches over us. May you take comfort in knowing that your dad is watching over you now. I extend my most sincere condolences to you and your loved ones.
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Ken Jackson
Family and Friends - 07/13/2015
Tracy,
I'm very sorry for the loss of your father, I know you were very close to him.
During this very difficult time please reflect on his love for you, the wonderful times you had together, and know someday you will see him again.
Know that you are in our hearts and prayers.
kj
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Tess
Family and Friends - 07/13/2015
My dear Glee.....You fought hard and the comfort you gave Kelly was truly a precious gift to him. You have a very special angel watching over you now.... may your memories help you get through this very hard time. Holding you in my thoughts and prayers. Love you
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Debbie Beran
Family and Friends - 07/13/2015
Darlene and family I'm so sorry to hear of Kelly's passing. I have such great memories of all the boys growing up neighbors. May God bless all of you and help you all through this awful time. I will be thinking of you.
Debbie
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Richard Haythorn
Family and Friends - 07/14/2015
So sorry for your loss. I first met Kelly in the 80's and will always remember how he took care of me when I visited his facility several years later. He was a good man. Dick
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Mike & Katie Longo
Family and Friends - 07/14/2015
So sorry for your loss. No words can ever express what one goes through during these times. Know that all who knew Kelly and his family feel his absence in our hearts. Our prayers and thoughts will help you during these times.
Love
Mike and Katie Longo
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Tom & Karilyn Markee
Family and Friends - 07/14/2015
Tracy - Our hearts go out and our prayers go up for you and your family during this difficult time.
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Dean and Gerri Hanson
Family and Friends - 07/14/2015
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Kelly's family during this difficult time. Kelly was a true professional and was an extremely dedicated officer. He was always working towards making things better and was a champion for all those who worked for him. Hard working, loyal and extremely capable are but a few adjectives that describe Kelly. He was a good man and he will be sorely missed. Condolences to his family. We hope you can find comfort in the fact that Kelly was loved by all who came in contact with him.
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Joe & Claire DelMonego
Family and Friends - 07/14/2015
We wish comfort and peace for Kelly’s family at this time of great sorrow. It was a true honor to have earned Kelly’s friendship and to have served with one of the finest officers our organization has produced. Although Kelly will be missed, the memory of a great man and his great deeds will never be forgotten.
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Kim Main
Family and Friends - 07/14/2015
There are people that come into our lives that leave a little piece of themselves upon us that can never be removed. I will always cherish my memories of our times together. Farewell my friend, till we meet again. To your family, I offer my prayers and deepest heartfelt sympathies. May Gods love comfort you and give you peace.
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Bob and Janeth
Family and Friends - 07/14/2015
Our deepest condolences to the family. Kelly was a man of virtue and honor in a time when such things are little appreciated. A real gentleman of the old school who will be very much missed.
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Terry & Denise Williams
Family and Friends - 07/15/2015
Our deepest condolences to the Hudson family for the tremendous loss you have suffered. Over the many years of knowing Kelly, he displayed all the qualities which define integrity, dedication to mission, and above all else, a true fighter in life! He will be sorely missed not only by his family, but his many friends as well. In sum, farewell to a great person!!
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Sandi,Sydney and Bill Kircher
Family and Friends - 07/16/2015
It was with great sadness that we learned of Kelly's passing. All of Kelly's love ones are in our prayers. We'll always remember Kelly as a great friend and mentor.
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Larry and Jeanne Long
Family and Friends - 07/17/2015
May God bless and keep you Kelly! It was an honor to know you and work with you! I will miss you brother! Our prayers are with you and your family.
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Thoughts and Prayers with all Family & Friends
Tracy - 07/18/2015
My thoughts and prayers are with all of Kelly's family and friends - his dry humor and integrity bring a smile to my face even after not seeing him for many years. Three things you always knew about Kelly - he adored his family; no one was better at his work; and he hated fuss about himself. So please take solace that many whose lives were touched by Kelly are grateful we met him.
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He will be missed!
Rich Nagel - 07/22/2015
God Bless Kelly - During my years with the Service, we
chatted, worked together and had a good time while honoring and serving our country. He will be missed! Rich.
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A pleasure to know
Cy Fedor - 07/22/2015
It was a pleasure for my wife and I to know Kelly. I visited Seoul on a training trip and brought my wife with me. We had a marvelous time and Kelly was a great student. Cy
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Condolences
John Tyreman (r... - 07/22/2015
My condolences to the Hudson family.
John & Bev Tyreman
Tucson, AZ
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RIP
William H Bump - 07/22/2015
RIP Kelly...
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