One Monticello Life: Tony Hudson
Published by Kristy March 4th, 2007 in Feature: OML, Site.Recently Tony Hudson’s life changed in a major way. He retired from his twenty-six year career with Walmart, working his last day at the Monticello store on February 2, 2007. After almost thirteen years here the store employees are like family to Tony, so this day was full of tears.
Tony Hudson was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas but his family moved to Monticello when he was three years old. Monticello is home to Tony. He has seen many years of Monticello life and change, growing up riding his bike down the highway and playing with friends in a time that seems so different. In some ways, though, Monticello is the same to Tony as it’s always been although he thinks the town has lots of potential for growth.
When Tony graduated from UAM in 1980 with a business degree, he immediately went to work for Walmart in Bastrop, Louisiana. Then he came back to Arkansas to work both the Pine Bluff stores for seven years and two Hot Springs stores for four years. He then transferred to LaPlace, Louisiana, where he became a store manager.
In 1994 Tony’s first wife died, leaving him grieving with an eighteen-month-old son, Kris. Knowing he couldn’t go it alone, Tony came home to Monticello where his parents could help him with Kris. Walmart chose to make him co-manager of the local store and that’s how he began his time back home in Monticello.
It’s apparent that Walmart was more than just a job for Tony, he gave it his all and it gave back to him. He says about such a job, “You know there are times you fail but you just keep giving it your best.” Employees of Walmart who worked with Tony miss him already.
Tony’s life, like most people, is full of ups and downs. He seems to take the bad along with the good and makes the best of it all. One definite good in his life is his wife, Kelly. In 1996, Tony attended a Vince Gill concert and went to the concession stand. Little did he know that he was getting more than a Coke. His future wife was looking back at him. Kelly was working behind the counter and they had previously known one another because he had been her employer at Pine Bluff Walmart. When he saw her again that night at the concert, he knew then that she was part of God’s plan for his life. They began dating and were married in 1997.
Blending boys and lives, they began a new life together and continue to enjoy it immensly. He had Kris (now 14 years old), she had Tyler (now 16), and together they had Michael (now 8). Their three sons keep them busy but bring so much to their lives. Raising children is a challenge but this couple is up for the task. They participate in Taekwondo, Scouts, soccer, and baseball and Kelly is the librarian at Monticello Elementary School, which is no small job. Add to all this the seven horses that belong to the Hudsons and one finds that they have plenty to keep them busy. Kelly and Michael especially love riding the horse. She and the boys go every morning before school to feed them and then the family has to make sure they’re taken care of each evening, too. Tony doesn’t ride much anymore but just likes being around the horses and caring for them.
Two years ago Tony was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. It is a debilitating neurological disease that affects the body’s motor systems. Totally changing his life, it is the reason he had to give up not only horseback riding, but also working. He rarely ever used to miss work, but not so once the Parkinson’s began.
Of Parkinson’s Tony says, “It makes it hard to walk, even hard to get out of bed some days. It’s mentally exhausting and physically exhausting to shake all day long.”
Although it’s a daily battle, Tony takes it one day at a time. He says that Kelly and the boys make the difficult days easier to endure and the good days that much better. He does his best to make each day count and counts his blessings, including his family and friends. He is a noteworthy Monticello Life: Tony Hudson.
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What a touching and well-written article, Kristy. Although I don’t know Tony, your article make me feel like I know him. I greatly admire his attitude toward his disease and his love for his family and life.
Marylee, I have known Tony Hudson and his family for a long time. I want you to know that your great admiration is right on target.
Tony has been a consistent and honorable member of this community for a long time. He is as kind and pleasant a man as you will ever meet. I have witnessed him be a great father, husband, church member and community servant. He is a wonderful example of a man who has pursued excellence without compromise.
His parents are wonderful people who have the same characteristics that Tony displays. Many times Mr. Hudson (his dad) helped me with car questions or tools or whatever I needed as a kid growing up. Tony certainly came from a great home.
I pray in the name of Jesus that Tony and Kelly will continue to be a blessing to our community for many years to come. God has blessed them so much with wonderful friends, parents and children; He is surely going to provide opportunities for them to continue to be His servants.
I feel proud to say Congratulations Tony on your years of excellent service to Wal Mart AND our city. You are an encouragement. I am excited to see what God will do thru you in the future.
Sincerely,
Rick
I was just thinking that Tony should be highlighted on Monticellolive.
I’ve gotten to know the entire family through church and taekwondo over the past 10 years. I admire how they handle anything that is put on their plate.
I hope that I can be one-half the parent to my girls that they are to their boys. You can’t fake the kind of love that is shown in both Hudson families.
When Tony Hudson came to #348 it was a great day for all the associates there. you can’t say enough good about this man, he’s a good Christian, good family man and a good store manager. He’s lead us down a long road, and taught us alot of Wa-Mart and ourselves. he’s left us all with many thoughts, when we get down we’ll stop and think what would Tony say about now ? and things seem to fall into place. As for this associate he’s taught me alot, i’ll always keep in mind what’d he’d do or say, or how to handle a situation. Thanks for all the years of dedicated service to Wal-Mart, and the inspiration you have given us, now you give God and your family that same inspiration, time, and love. God Bless you and your family.
Tony, has been greatly liked at walmart #348 for many years by employees and customer.He helped us get by doing the holidays he even climbed ladders for us to helpes us out in our dept you don;t see many store managers do that He took pride in our store and his employess which he considered his family. He could tell when we were trouble about situation in our department he tried to help us see the bright side of things or helpes us figure it out.When he was in pain we were in pain becasue at 348 we were a close family But like he always said he put everthing in the good lords hand because he knew what was best.Tony will be miss by the associate and the customer so we wish him well Good Luck and god bless you
Tony, even though I wasn’t there on your last day at Wal-Mart, you know I will always love you and Kelly as friends. You were always there for me when Luther, the love of my life, passed away, but God and you were always there for me, all I had to do was ask. I pray for you and your family every day for strength. So thanks for everything friend. Love, Kitty