Mr. Gerald "Jerry" Hudson, age 77 of Shell Knob, Missouri passed away on Saturday, April 19, 2025 in Springfield, MO.

Gerald "Jerry" William Hudson was born on April 15, 1948, in Kansas City, Kansas, to William "Bill" Leroy Hudson and Zola Marie (Adams) Hudson. Jerry spent his early years in Kansas City, KS, and went to Washington High School. In May 1967, he enlisted in the United States Navy, where he served proudly as a boiler tech aboard the USS Leonard F. Mason (DD-852) until his honorable discharge in February 1971. He saw action during the Vietnam War, and his Navy days were something he carried with pride for the rest of his life. He also kept close ties with his Navy buddies, attending annual reunions with his old shipmates from the USS Leonard F. Mason.

It wasn't long after leaving the service that Jerry met the love of his life, Karen Scobee. They tied the knot on April 15, 1972, in Reeds Spring, MO—a birthday and an anniversary all in one. Together, they built a life full of love, laughter, and a shared spirit of adventure. They were married 48 wonderful years before Karen's passing in 2020.

Jerry was one of those guys who could fix or build just about anything. He wore many hats as a mechanic around Springfield, MO, before landing a solid job at Kraft Foods. Once there, he really made his mark—racking up a handful of Above and Beyond the Call of Duty Awards.

After 25 years of working at Kraft, Jerry decided to retire… sort of. He never really slowed down. Instead, he jumped into maintenance jobs here and there, including a stint at Silver Dollar City, because sitting still just wasn't in his nature.

In 2015, Jerry and his wife Karen traded city life for the laid-back charm of Shell Knob, settling on the shores of Table Rock Lake. Even in retirement, Jerry kept busy fixing golf carts, boats, lawnmowers—you name it. If it was broken, Jerry could figure it out. Jerry had a goal when moving to Shell Knob to make the front page of the Rattler, the local paper. And in true Jerry fashion, he pulled it off in 2022 when he took home first place at the Shell Knob Central Crossing Senior Center Annual Car Show with his 1974 Caprice.

But Jerry wasn't just a fix-it guy. In his younger years, Jerry loved bowling, camping, boating, fishing, metal detecting, and watching his son play sports. Later in life his hobbies included slot machines, old westerns, and puzzles. Jerry was a die-hard Kansas City Chiefs fan. His love for the Chiefs was shared with his children through phone calls after every Chiefs' touchdown. During the Chiefs recent Super Bowl runs, you could count on Jerry to be decked out in red, cheering Touchdown, Kansas City! Or How 'bout those Chiefs! And no matter the event, Jerry had a knack for being the life of the party. Quick with a joke, a story, or just a grin that made people feel welcome.

Even in the hospital during his final days, Jerry's spirit never dimmed. He had nurses and doctors laughing with his standard taco and beer requests. That was just Jerry—funny, stubborn in the best way, and full of life. If you knew him, you know there's a little less laughter in the world without him. But wow, what a ride.

Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Karen, a daughter, Shawn Marie Hudson, and three grandchildren.

Survivors include: his daughter Renee Sargent and her husband Jason, of Republic, MO; his son Kevin Hudson and his wife Alisa, of Dunkerton, IA; two sisters, Sharon Zuck of Merritt Island, FL, and Phyllis Bilyeu of Ocala, FL; and extended family and cherished friends.

Visitation will be from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM Friday April 25, 2025, at Klingner-Cope Funeral Home at White Chapel, 5234 W. State Hwy EE, Springfield, MO. Graveside service with full Military Honors and Navy Bell Ceremony will follow in the White Chapel Memorial Gardens Cemetery.