Gerald B. “Tuffy” Hudson, a well-known sportsman, died Monday, July 22, 2013 at his home in Florence. He was 75.
The service to celebrate his life will be Thursday at 2:00 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church with the Rev. Carl Bright officiating. Visitation for family and friends will be held in Mullen Hall from 12:00 noon until service time. Following the service, the ashes will be placed in the Memorial Garden at the church. During the service, UNA football players from the 1957-1960 seasons are invited to sit together near the family.
Tuffy was a 1956 graduate of Deshler High School. He was Vice-President of his Senior Class, member of the “D” Club, President of the Key Club, member of the Speech Club, Boy’s State and Vice-President of the Honor Society.
He lettered in football and was All Tri Cities and All State, played basketball and baseball, was a Hi-Y delegate and was voted Who’s Who Best Personality. In 1955 he won the W.H. Butler Scholastic and Football Trophy.
In 1961 he received a B.S. degree from Florence State College. He lettered in football and was Co-Captain of the team, a member of the “F” Club and P.E. Club. He was on the 1960 Florence State College Football team that claimed the first conference championship in school history.
He was later inducted into UNA’s Athletic Hall of Fame and Colbert County Athletic Hall of Fame. He was named to the offensive line of the 50th Anniversary (1949-1999) University of North Alabama Football Team. He was also chosen as an offensive lineman for the UNA Team of the Decade for 1959-1968.
He had worked at the Huntsville Boys Club and had been Director of the Port Authority of Florence. He served 40 years in the 115th Signal Battalion, Alabama National Guard, retiring as a warrant officer.
Tuffy served as a volunteer Florence policeman through the VIP program. He was interested in the Red Cross, YMCA, and was a board member of the UNA Sportsman Club. He was a past president of the UNA Alumni Association and coordinator of the UNA Karnes Golf Tournament. He was given the YMCA Spirit Award in 1996 and was voted 2003 UNA Fan of the Year.
He enjoyed golf, gardening, supporting UNA athletic events and was an usher at church.
