John M. Hudgins Jr.

John Melton Hudgins, Jr., 86, of Salem, died July 27, 2012 after a brief, but courageous, battle with pancreatic cancer. Born March 7, 1926 in Washington D.C., John spent his childhood there and in McLean, Virginia. Some of his fondest memories were hunting and fishing with Joe Segar (his friend for 70 years), his dad and grandfather, Horatio Bigelow, at Glen Burnie in Palmyra, Virginia. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Eunice Crump Hudgins; brothers, Horatio B. (Ray) Hudgins, Thomas B. Hudgins, and Richard S. Hudgins; son, John M. (Skip) Hudgins IV; daughter, Nancy E. Hudgins; step-son, James G. Godfrey; step-daughter, Sharlyn G. Vaughan; 9 grandchildren; and 6 great-grandchildren. John served in the U. S. Navy during World War II and then attended The University of Virginia. He began his career as a life insurance agent for Phoenix Mutual. He later became Executive Vice President of Richfood in Richmond, Virginia. In Salem, he was General Manager for Associated Grocers; founder and CEO of Hop-In Food Stores; and a commercial real estate agent for L.S. Waldrop Realty. He served on the State Board of Directors of Easter Seals Virginia for 26 years (six years as chairman); and on the Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare Board for 15 years (two years as Chairman). John was an avid bird watcher; a passion he shared with his wife, Eunice. They traveled to many areas of the country including Hawaii and Alaska, and to Africa, Costa Rica, Panama, Mexico, and various Caribbean Islands. The family would like to express their deep appreciation to the staff at Salem Health & Rehabilitation Center for their excellent and compassionate care during Johns stay. Join the family for A Celebration of Life in Johns honor, to be held at the Salem Civic Center on Saturday, September 1, 2012 from 3 until 4:30 p.m. in the community room. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in memory of John to Easter Seals UCP North Carolina & Virginia, 5171 Glenwood Ave., Suite 400, Raleigh, NC 27612, or to the Roanoke Valley Bird Club, c/o Robin Austin, 10513 Bottom Creek Road, Bent Mountain, VA 24059. A guestbook is available by visiting www.johnmoakey.com.