Jaybird passed away

[weathermansam]

His brother posted this on Facebook earlier and sent me a personal message on there saying pretty much the same thing:

Jeff Hudson
It is with great sadness that I inform you that on this sorrow-filled day my brother Jay Hudson suffered a critical anomoly still unexplained and has passed away The services are still in discussion and will be shared as soon as they are made final

[squidbilly]

My condolences to Jay's family, you are in my thoughts and prayers. 

I only got to spend one day with him, on one of his Pinhoti Challenge hikes, but I feel like I've lost a friend. He was a wonderful person, full of knowledge that he freely shared with us hikers. 

[vapor]

I received the same messages on facebook myself last night & was sad to hear. I know many of you have known Jay for a long time. I only recently met him this year as he was leading a group on a bushwack trip on Quillan Creek. I usually prefer to lead my own trips as I like to explore & not be led but I was glad I went & met Jay as he was extremely knowledgable. Sincere condolences to his family.

[Ewker]

sorry to hear about this. My thoughts and prayers are being sent to Jay's family

[weathermansam]

Does anyone remember the name of the poem Jay read on hikes, or at least to the big tree? 

[dogwood]

Hate to hear about his passing!  Jay was a wealth of knowledge - and quite an agitator, at times!  I miss his postings on this forum, and we've lost a good contributor...

[vapor]

Jay had several interesting poems one of which he sent me about a section of Pinhoti that I will see if I can find & post.

[weathermansam]

Jeff Hudson
June 8 at 7:37pm

Thank you all so much for the posts. My family is heart broken for a brother, son, uncle to be gone so soon. Jay suffered a pulmonary embolism tue at approx. 3:30pm while standing in the parking deck at St Vincents Hospital. We are told he went suddenly and hopfully without suffering. Furneral arrangements have been made for fri June 10th at 11am, Radney Smith Funeral Home (320 N Elm St Sylacauga) with a viewing starting at 9am. Interment will be at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery (Talladega Hwy, Sylacauga) following his service.

[Firedog]

Our friend filled countless minds with wonder and possibility. He inspired, encouraged and, perhaps best of all, he urged great things from all who knew him if but for a fleeting moment or two. Never one to quit and always one to forego, his journey though life leaves behind an indelible impression on countless hearts and souls that will surely span to generations yet to come. His life, he used it to mold an unforgettable life's journey long to be remembered. A sea of tears washes over all who feel this loss. Godspeed to a remarkable man.

[camel]

A Great loss of a person so devoted to helping many to understand and enjoy the trail. I had a few of those agitator post's with him as he could bring out such  passion for the trail and his give us his knowledge of its history - may he guide each of us on our next trip!

Camel

[hikerjoe]

Wow. A great loss. I only had a chance to meet him a couple of times but he struck me as a unique and generous man, wanting to educate everyone on the beauty of nature in Alabama. He was a big part of the Alabama Hiking Trail Society at its start 10 years ago and inspired many with the beautiful photo  presentations he did for us during our conferences. We will miss him.

[ednotmilkman]

I hiked only once with him, in Sipsey. Jay surely was passionate about everything he loved. We learn and move on and the Pinhoti challenge hikes were a great intro to hiking for a lot of people after he sorta left this forum.

Since he was a school teacher, I'd love to hear what his students thought about him too.

Edwin

[Mountain Dog]

Jay was a good example to all of us, He gave back more to the hiking community than he took.  The trails and memories are better because he passed this way.

[weathermansam]

Jeff Hudson
In Leiu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established. You can send a check to Bumpus Middle School with the Jay Hudson Memorial written in memo line. If enough funds are raised, the school will build a hiking trail on the school grounds and name it the Jay Hudson Memorial Trail. What better way to honor Jay.

For the Jay Hudson Memorial, checks should be made payable to Bumpus Middle School with Jay Hudson Memorial written in memo line of check. Checks should be mailed to Bumpus Middle School, Attn: Jay Hudson Memorial, 1730 Lake Cyrus Drive, Hoover, AL 35244.

[Skippy]

Does anyone remember the name of the poem Jay read on hikes, or at least to the big tree? 

The name of the poem that Jay read on hikes to the Big Tree was called Tree's by Joyce Kilmer.

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovley as a tree

Atree whose hungry mouth is prest
against the earths sweet flowing breast,

Atree that looks at God all day
And lifts her leafy arms to pray,

A tree that may in summer wear
Anest of robins in her hair,

Upon whose bosom snow has lain
Who intimately lives with rain

Poems are made by fools like me
But only God can make a tree.

[Skippy]

Jay was a great guy and will be missed by many. I have day hiked many times with Jay and never have I met a person who loved the outdoors more than him. I don't think there is a plant, tree, or wildflower out there that he could not tell you the name of. Jay really enjoyed leading people on hikes in the great outdoors of Alabama.

[Verduretiger]

I was a pall bearer at Jay's funeral yesterday.  The hiking community was well represented although it was hard to recognize some in their coat and ties.  We will miss Jay and his spirit will be hard to replace. 

[schlanky]

Wow.

I wasn't on the boards last week and just now saw this sad news.

I never met Jay personally, but over the past 10 years or so we communicated a good bit on Lee's Hiking Alabama site and some through e-mails. On my first section hike on the Pinhoti, he (and several other folks) were very helpful with info on hike logistics, finding places where the Pinhoti crossed roads, etc. After I transitioned from day hiker to overnight backpacker, he steered me to make my first trip at Kilmer.

We didn't always see eye to eye on trail issues and Jay was never afraid to tell you exactly what he thought, but I always respected his passion and his point of view. He'll be missed.

schlanky
(scrambler from Hiking Alabama)

[weathermansam]

34.19.677 N, -87.26.706 W, the Green Dragon, aka Jay Hudson Memorial Cache as promised, is now in East Bee Branch not far from the Big Tree.   It currently has a small green dragon, a log book and a copy of the Joyce Kilmer poem "Trees".  I'll put the cache up on geocache.com later tonight. 

[PastorLarryT]

12 "For you shall go out with joy,
 
And be led out with peace;
 
The mountains and the hills
 
Shall break forth into singing before you,
 
And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

Isaiah 55:12 (NKJV)