Neal D. Hudson

Neal D. Hudson, age 95, of McCook, NE passed away on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 at his home in Brookdale, McCook.

Neal was born February 6, 1924 on his grandparents’ Jessee farmstead north of Benkelman, NE to parents Jesse D. and Leona M. (Jessee) Hudson.  In 1929 the family made their home on a farm in Hitchcock County near the Kansas Border. They later moved to a farm overlooking the Republican River Valley where Neal witnessed the flood of 1935 and remembered hearing the rushing flood waters from the house.  Neal was a lifelong farmer. He grew up farming during the dust bowl in the Depression.

Neal attended a one room country school before graduating from Stratton High School with the Class of 1940. He was active in FFA and other AG related activities.

On May 23, 1942, Neal married his lifetime partner, Shirley Y. Richards in St.Francis, KS. The couple was blessed with two children, Roger and Jean. The family made their home South of Stratton/Trenton where they continued to farm for over 60 years.

Neal was a member of the Stratton Church of Christ and a lifetime member of the NRA and Farm Bureau where he was active in both the county and state organizations. He also served on the Trenton Board of Education. Neal was a Nebraska Football Fan. His favorite times were spent showing his grandchildren the values of hard work on the farm and how those values related to everyday life.  He enjoyed travelling with Shirley and the two of them share fond memories of a cruise to the Bahamas and of finding lost relatives and friends across the country.

Neal was preceded in death by his parents, brother Gaile Dunn; and son in law, Earl Ward.

Those left to celebrate his life include his wife of 77 years, Shirley Hudson of McCook; son, Roger (Deb) Hudson of Martell, NE; daughter, Jean Ward of Hays, KS; five grandchildren, Jennifer (Steven) Vanderpool of Pasadena, CA, Grant ( fiancé Chelsea Tyrie) Hudson of Dallas, TX, Chad (Cathy) Quick of Cincinnati, OH, Kyle (Paula) Quick of Oklahoma City, OK and Tisha (Nael) Samha of Centreville, VA; ; ten great grandchildren; three great great grandchildren; three step grandchildren, four step great grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1 PM, on Monday, August 12, 2019, at the Stratton Church of Christ in Stratton, NE with Pastor Randy Hayes, officiating. Burial will be held at a later date in Rose Hill Cemetery in Stratton.

Family and friends are invited to share memories and refreshments at the Grandview Community Center following the services

Memorial Contributions may be directed to the Stratton Church of Christ, 406 Baxter Street, Stratton, NE 69043.