Notes |
- Harold Edward "Ed" Hudgeons, age 71, died on Friday, October 7, 2022, at the University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Ed was born August 15, 1951, to Harold Emil Hudgeons and Laura Lee Davis Hudgeons in Wichita Falls, Texas. He attended public schools and graduated from Wichita Falls High School in 1969. He attended DeVry University and Midwestern State University.
Ed was a multi-talented individual. Ed had the unique ability to "reinvent himself" when he needed a life change. He retired from R & R Electronic Wholesale Company at the ripe age of 36. He continued his love of "gadgets" by building computers and mastering multiple computer languages to become an internationally recognized "webmaster" in the 1990s. For fun, he became a licensed general contractor, specializing in restoration of vintage homes and building custom furniture. His company, Handywerks, allowed him to do many trades under the same banner.
Ed was also an internationally recognized photographer through YouPic.com. He grew up being a "fetcher" for his father's photographer business, and had worked in many aspects of the photography industry. He loved the "art" of finding the right cloud, sunrise or sunset, or smile to shoot. He also spent many hours digitizing and restoring vintage photographs.
Ed also had many unusual hobbies. He was an avid trout fisherman and camper. He and his friends, Bob and Dennis, spent many hours in the Chama, New Mexico area fishing and camping. Ed also loved to go spelunking. From the late 1980s through the mid-1990s, Ed belonged to the Lubbock (TX) Area Grotto. He visited many well-known caves that are part of the Carlsbad Caverns System, and was a member of the team that supported the exploration of several of the new caves in the Carlsbad System discovered in the early 1990s.
In 1982, Ed was introduced to hot air ballooning. He was an avid crew member from then to 2002. He was known for his crazy antics, both on and off the field. He formed many lasting friendships. He drove the chase vehicle. He was also an avid pin collector! He took thousands of balloon pictures while crewing and continued to chase the perfect picture until his passing.
Ed was an amazing baker and cook. He developed his own sourdough starter and custom recipe for bread. He baked and shared many loaves. He was known for his recipe for corned beef and cabbage that he refused to write down to share.
Ed loved music in all forms. He played keyboards by ear and played the cajon. He particularly loved rhythm and blues and would never miss a local B.B. King concert. He followed many regional musicians including Megan Tubbs and in the 1980s he never missed the young Stevie Ray Vaughn playing at Fat Dogs in Lubbock, TX.
Ed was diagnosed with laryngeal cancer in late 2001, and his life changed forever. He focused his energies on his photography, love of music, and cooking. His cameras are still loaded with his last nights of shooting the stars off our "west mesa."
Ed was fortunate to have the same community of doctors and Speech Language Therapists at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center for 20 years. There are no words to express the gratitude for the care they provided, especially in his last illness.
Ed is survived by his wife of 46 years, Connie Rosenlieb Hudgeons; his sister, Jean Knight of Tulsa; and his brother, Frederick Hudgeons of Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is also survived by two nephews, John Lynn and Brooks Hudgeons and a niece, Laura Sanders and 5 great nieces and nephews.
To honor Ed's wishes, there will be no funeral or memorial service. His ashes will be scattered at his favorite fishing spot in the Chama, New Mexico area. Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society in Ed's memory.
|