Edward Hiliary Hudson

Edward Hiliary “Eddie” Hudson. September 19, 1945 – August 7, 2026. After nearly 81 amazing trips around the sun (as he liked to describe it), Edward “Eddie” Hudson entered his eternal rest on August 7, with his family at his side. Eddie was born in Tallahassee, Florida and spent his childhood learning about airplanes with his father and brother at Dale Mabry Field and Tallahassee Municipal Airport, building and racing soapbox derby cars and karting around his neighborhood near FSU campus, winning science fairs with his physics & engineering projects, and helping to build the family’s Dog Island house in the early 1950s. Eddie graduated from Florida High School in 1963 and served several years of active and reserve duty in the United States Army. He was a licensed pilot, A&P (Airframe & Powerplant) mechanic and held the IA (Inspection Authorization) certification. Eddie started working at his father’s aircraft maintenance business (Hudson Aircraft Service) as a teenager and eventually took over operations at the Tallahassee Regional Airport in 1972. He later merged the maintenance business with Flightline, serving as Head of Maintenance for several years. Hudson Aircraft later moved to Quincy Municipal Airport. Eddie especially treasured his 17 years teaching aviation maintenance at Lively Technical College until his retirement in 2013. He took great pride in sharing his knowledge with the next generation, and his legacy of expertise continues through the many students and mechanics he trained and mentored. When he wasn’t fixing planes (or anything else that needed fixing!), Eddie could be found duck hunting, tailgating for Florida State football games, fishing along the Forgotten Coast, or listening to Jimmy Buffett in “Paradise,” as he often dubbed his beloved Dog Island home. He served on the Dog Island Conservation District Board for over 20 years and was a member and former commodore of the Dog Island Yacht Club. A devoted husband, father and friend, Eddie was involved in Marriage Encounter with his late wife Fran, and they also led the ‘Pre-Cana’ marriage preparation program for a few years at the Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More. He was most recently a member of St. John Paul II Catholic Church. Eddie is survived by his children Chris Hudson (Aidan) and Deanna Edwards (Scott); grandchildren Cullen Edwards, Macy Edwards, Tyler Morales and Gabriella Morales; his long-time best friend and companion, Mary Ann Hensarling; along with extended family and countless friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Houston and Miriam Hudson; his brother, David Hudson; and his wife, Francine Cannella Hudson. Our family would like to thank the nurses, doctors and support staff at Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare and Big Bend Hospice – for their compassion and care for Eddie and for all of us. We are eternally grateful for these amazing people, and all our family and friends who have supported us and brought joy and wonderful memories during this challenging time. A memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, September 12, at St. John Paul II Catholic Church (3720 Capital Circle SE, Tallahassee, FL 32311), with reception to follow. The Hudson family is working to establish a scholarship in Eddie’s memory at Lively Technical College, to assist students pursuing their Aviation Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) certification. Young Family Funeral Home is assisting the family, 850-926-5919.

Edward Hiliary Hudson

September 19, 1945 - August 7, 2026