Paul Edward Hudson

Paul Edward Hudson (82) passed away peacefully at his home in Hot Springs, Arkansas, on February 16, 2026. Paul was born on July 31st, 1943, in Louisville, Kentucky, to the late Virgil and Hazel Hudson. After graduating from Valley High School in 1961, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps where he rose to the rank of Sgt. E-5.

His loved ones knew him as a proud Marine, outdoorsman, storyteller, and avid UK fan. He was dedicated, generous, and honest to a fault. Paul loved his family and friends dearly - they were his whole life. If he had it to give, it was yours; and, if you asked for his opinion, he gave it to you as straight as the arrows he hunted with.

During his time in the Marine Corps, Paul trained as a heavy equipment mechanic. After completing his service, he applied those skills to build a career as a master mechanic. He had a remarkable ability to diagnose mechanical problems, take machines apart, and reassemble them with precision. He retired from Republic Diesel, Inc. in Louisville, KY, where he formed many lasting friendships.

His dedication to his country and career was rooted in his deep commitment to family and friends. Paul was married to his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Jean, for 61 years. As a husband, father, grandfather, and brother, he never wavered in his love, support and willingness to be present. Family was always his priority, and he could often be counted on to share a story-or three- about his brothers and sister on repeat.

A close second to Paul’s devotion to family was his love for his friends and the hobbies they shared. The time he spent hunting, fishing, and camping at the ‘farm’ became some of his most treasured memories and the source of many of the stories he loved to tell.

Paul passed down a deep appreciation for the outdoors and a strong sense of patriotism to multiple generations of family and friends - most especially to his beloved grandson, Cross. As a grandfather, he cherished being a teacher, taking particular joy in sharing his knowledge of marksmanship, hunting and fishing.

Paul is predeceased by his wife Jean; son Tim; his parents Virgil and Hazel Hudson; sister Judy Sullivan; and brothers Kenny and David Hudson. He is survived by daughter Kim Cardenas (Jaime), grandson Cross Cardenas (fiancée Kaia), and beloved dog Molly; brothers Terry, Jim, and Tom Hudson; brother-in-law Gerald Sullivan; many nieces and nephews; and dear friends he loved as family.

Paul-Dad-Grandpa will be deeply missed. His memory will live on in our hearts and in the stories we will tell.

Visitation for family and friends begins at 12:00 PM. Memorial Service to be held 1:00 PM and Graveside Service at 2:00 PM. All services will be on March 21st, 2026, at Louisville Memorial Gardens West: 4400 Dixie Highway, Louisville, Kentucky.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made in Paul’s honor to Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Job 12: 7-10

But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.