Hudson Huston Hamilton

Hudson Huston Hamilton, was a man who knew how to make life interesting. Born on July 18, 1942, in Kansas City, MO, and passing away on September 17, 2023, in Topeka, KS, Hud drove in the fast lane but lived at his own leisurely pace. He was loving, kind, and generous, but he'd probably prefer to be remembered as the guy who once tried to outrun a tornado in his 1963 Jaguar XKE.

After graduating from Topeka High School and studying architecture at Pittsburg State, he became a sales manager for Pet Milk, Kimberly Clark, and Dish Network. Before his retirement he was a security officer for American Sentry Security Systems. He was as passionate about his work as he was about his hobbies. If you knew Hud, you knew that his garage was his sanctuary, his Jag was his pride and time with his kids working on cars was his joy. He was an active member of the British car club and had a wonderful group of friends through his Topeka High reunion group. He was a longtime volunteer at the Combat Air Museum. He was also a beloved and devoted member of St. David's Episcopal Church helping build their Audio Visual ministry. At his 80th birthday he had over 300 birthday wishes on Facebook and he answered every single one.

Hud had a fascination with the weather and tornadoes in particular. He was at ground zero during the 1966 Topeka tornado so his tornado chasing was always in an effort to learn more and keep people safe. In his later years when he could not get out to chase storms he would text weather updates to friends and family so they knew what was on the horizon. Several years ago he was interviewed about his '66 tornado experience and you can see that video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQQPKwKBHXg

Hud was a man who loved his family dearly and family gatherings were everything to him. His parents, Mary Jane and Jack Hamilton, preceded him in death, but his legacy lives on through his surviving family; Carol Hamilton, Hudson and Jennifer Hamilton, Kelly and Gar Demo, and Lonnie Hamilton. He was an extraordinary grandfather to his grandchildren, Riley and Asher Demo and Adell and PJ Hamilton, teaching them how to build model airplanes, how to read a radar for storms, and how to build amazing snow sculptures.

Hud's passing was due to complications from Parkinson's. But even in his final days, Hud was cracking jokes, reminiscing about tornadoes, and trying to convince the nurses to let him have more garlic. In his 81 years, Hud showed us that life is meant to be lived fully, with laughter, patience, and love.

A service of celebration of life will be held on Sep. 30 at 10:30 am at St. David's Episcopal Church, 3916 SW 17th St, Topeka, KS 66604.

In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial offering to St. David's audio visual ministry, the Combat Air Museum (7016 SE Forbes Avenue Forbes Field, Topeka,

Kansas 66619) or the charity of your choice that ministers to children or animals.