Malcolm Hudgins

Malcolm (Mack) Maddox Hudgins, 96, died Sunday Jan. 6, 2019, in Orange Park, FL. Malcolm, known to colleagues as M.M., graduated from Georgia Tech. He grew up in Griffin, GA, and was the son of Joseph Carl Hudgins and Mary Lou Hudgins.

He dedicated most of his working life to government service, beginning as an Army Air Corps bombardier, flying 52 WWII Pacific missions. He capped his career as an engineer on the Hubble Space Telescope in 1984.

Malcolm moved to Jacksonville, FL, in 2001. He lived independently, drove a vehicle, and was very active until shortly before his death. He held Ruby Life Master status in bridge and played competitively at the Jacksonville School of Bridge as well as the Neptune Beach Senior Activity Center.

He dedicated 25 years to safety engineering for the Army Missile and Space Command at Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, AL (1958-1983), where he supervised safety engineers for numerous missile systems and received many commendations. Throughout life, Malcolm was known for achieving a high level of quality and a dedication to integrity.

He is survived by children, Christine Dammen, Edina, MN, Mary Hudgins, Orlando, FL and Loie Hudgins, Orange Park, FL;  grandchildren, Kirsten Gulden, Edina, MN, Jennifer Schlier, Salt Lake City, UT, Nicholas Steer, Orlando, FL, Grace Hudgins, Atlanta, GA, Carter Hudgins, Chattanooga, TN and William Hudgins, Baton Rouge, LA. Preceding him in death was his wife, Ruby Hudgins; siblings, Ruby Cornelia Holt, James Pope Hudgins, Pauline Hudgins, Sallie Lou Newton, Mildred Odessa Shafer, Carlton Lewis Hudgins and Mary Ruth Lieberman; and close friend, Jackie Boesger.

A Memorial Service will be held Jan. 26 at 12:30 pm at the Jacksonville Beach School of Bridge, 3353 Washburn Rd., Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250. Donations may be made in his name to Honor Flight, Box #321, 1170 Tree Swallow Dr., Winter Springs, FL  32708 https://honorflightcentralflorida.org