ADDENDUM

Harold Raymond Hudgens

March 06, 1939 - February 06, 2021

Harold was born in Ballinger, Texas to Thelbert and Eron Hudgens, the fourth child of seven. He attended school in Ballinger and graduated from Ballinger High School in 1957. He went to Texas Tech University on a basketball scholarship and graduated in 1962. He was drafted by the NBA Detroit Pistons and the ABA Colorado Nuggets but opted to play semi-pro basketball for the Phillips 66ers.

In 1964, he returned to Texas Tech, obtained an accounting degree, and became a CPA. He embarked on a career in accounting that included time spent in Lubbock and Houston, before returning to Runnels County to work for North Runnels Hospital District.

At 6’10 ½”, Harold had a very successful high school, college, and semi-pro basketball career. In 2006, Harold was inducted into the Texas Tech Hall of honor and, in 2019, he was inducted into the Southwest Conference Hall of Fame housed in the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in Waco, Texas.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents, Thelbert and Eron Hudgens; his older sister, Marynell Hudgens; and infant daughters Maryneil (11/26/1974 - 11/27/1974) and Beth (9/4/1976 – 11/7/1976); and his brother-in-law Gene Ischar.

Harold is survived by his wife Bettye Hudgens of Ballinger, Texas; his children Anne Lippmann and husband Eric of Houston, Texas, and Brad Hudgens and wife Harmony, of Little Elm, Texas; his grandchildren Emily Lippmann of Lubbock, Texas and Caroline Lippmann of Houston, Texas. He is also survived by the mother of his children, Joan Hudgens of Houston, Texas; his step-children, Rodney Irby and his wife Cory of Casa Grande, Arizona, Terri Irby of San Angelo, Texas, and Mark Irby and wife Jeane of Rowena, Texas; his step-grandchildren and greats, Jarred Irby and son Mason of North Richland Hills, Texas, Greg Selby and wife Liz and daughter Braelyn of San Angelo, Texas, Geoffrey Selby of San Angelo, Texas, and Chris Irby of San Angelo, Texas. He also leaves behind his siblings, Betty Ischar of Ballinger, Texas, Janece Alexander and husband Fred of Sulphur, Louisianna, LaVeda Zak and husband Jerry of San Angelo, Texas, Martha Hastings and husband Cotton of Bauxite, Arkansas, and Alan Hudgens and wife Roselyn of Ballinger, Texas; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and their families.

Memorial Service
Saturday, February 13, 2021
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Lange Funeral Home Chapel
1910 Hutchings Ave.
BALLINGER, Texas 76821

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This from JAMES HAYS:

"I tried to find out more about Harold Hudgens, ran into his nephew a couple of weeks ago and he told me about Harold's long hard fight. If the person with him had not had a Ballinger cap on, I wouldn’t have known who he was.

"On another note, I have been working some as the Brown County Health Authority for a number of years. I wanted to stay until we have put this Virus away, but I guess they felt sorry for me and I don’t know yet if I will retire my license, but at least, I lasted until the vaccine was introduced. It looks like the corner is beginning to turn. Kay and I got our second injection this week and I would urge everybody to get theirs as soon as you can as that is how we defeat this thing. Be safe out there." 

If you and yours have not yet had your vaccinations, remember this:

"Wash your hands, wear your masks, and stay indoors as much as possible!"

Peace,

Marilyn

LATEST NOTICES

I have been waiting to hear from more of you before writing a new post.  Sadly, most of the news I've received has not been happy news. The latest was sent to me by TRUMAN CONNER in regards to the passing of HAROLD HUDGENS.

"Harold Hudgens, 81, of Ballinger, passed away Saturday, February 6, 2021, at Shannon Medical Center in San Angelo. A full obituary will follow." 

BARBARA CAMPBELL WITTE's brother, Grady Campbell, Sr., 78, passed away Thursday, January 28, 2021, at his home in Ballinger, Texas. 

JIMMY COWLISHAW's sister, "Emma Lou Cowlishaw Smith peacefully passed away at her home Saturday morning. (January 23, 2021) She was the first of seven children born to Herbert Cowlishaw and Marie Killingsworth; she was born August 17, 1933, in Ballinger."

I usually try to keep up with Ballinger news on their website, but I'm finding out they don't always list all of the obituaries. Each of the above can be located on the Lange Funeral Home website, where you may also submit your condolences. Lange Funeral Home

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Not all news from your classmates are gloomy or sad. Some have advised me they have gotten or have an appointment to get the COVID-19 vaccinations. My first one is to be on March 1st. Daughter Carajean is taking me to the drive-through, where she is also scheduled for her first shot.

MARTHA NORTHINGTON has had both of her vaccinations as her daughter is a nurse here in Austin. MARTHA made a quick run to the doctor's office where she worked when they ran completely out of appointments and had a few leftovers that were going to expire. 

JUNE HASH CURRY has gotten her first shot and the second one scheduled!

TRUMAN CONNER has an appointment to get his first one this month.

NANCY THOMPSON BAKER said she is scheduled to get her first shot in April. Lucky her, a home health nurse will administer it to her in her home.

DENNY HILL always keeps me up-to-date. Recently I received the

following email from him. It's always such fun to hear from him!

"Miracles do Happen!" .. "I can still hardly believe it, but I got my 1st COVID-19 vaccination shot today! Out of the blue came the info that on Sat & Sun, Jan 30 & 31, there were openings available for the first dose at Stony Brook. I found out about it on Friday afternoon, and by Saturday afternoon I had the shot. Nobody I know understands what happened.

"It was shockingly well planned, organized, and executed. The National Guard was there to direct traffic, and guide you to the site. It progressed in a simple, orderly but thorough fashion, and they signed you up for an appointment for the 2nd dose. Everyone was very polite and helpful.

"I do not know how to explain it. Maybe some goose flew over and dropped a golden egg."

When I asked if the last big Arctic Blast that hit the east coast had affected him, DENNY told me he currently had a foot of snow in his yard. Today I saw on the weather that a second Blast was to reach them again. I emailed him and asked if he had plenty of food on hand in case he got snowed in. He responded that it is already snowing.

One more thing before I close.. well, two more. First, please let me know how each of you and your family are doing. 

Secondly, please keep GENE ROUTH and his family in your thoughts and prayers. It is terribly hard -- as you all know -- to lose a loved one. And there are more than one way to lose someone dear to you. GENE's wife Lenna is in a memory care facility. Being away from a spouse you have been married to for over 50-years is difficult. And the added sadness when they are unable to recall many of those years makes it even harder.

Until next time..

Peace and love,

Marilyn