Kenneth Wayne Hudgins Sr.

Kenneth Wayne Hudgins Sr.—“Ken” to some people, but “Kenneth” to his family—died Friday, May 17, following a brief illness. He was 87.

Kenneth was born on July 10, 1936, in Jefferson, Ga. The house of his birth is still standing, and he always wondered why someone had not placed a historical marker in the front yard: “Kenneth Hudgins was born here.”

Soon after his birth, his mother and father, Bonelle and J. Edwin Hudgins, moved to Gainesville, where his dad eventually began a career with the railroad. Kenneth, on the other hand, was destined for newspapers. He became a paper carrier at The Daily Times, now The Times, when he was nine, and advanced to assistant circulation manager when he was 14—meaning he delivered the route when a carrier didn’t show up.

He eventually served as circulation manager, but his first love was in selling advertising. He advanced from salesperson in the ad department, to assistant director and then director, in which position he remained for 11 years.

Adept in administration, Kenneth eventually became publisher at several newspapers, including The Winder News in Georgia, and The Franklin Press in Franklin, N.C. His papers won numerous state and company awards under his leadership.

Kenneth, an honor graduate of Gainesville High School, persevered for eight years as he attended night school to receive a degree from the University of Georgia. He was a huge fan of gospel singing, the Atlanta Braves and University of Georgia football.

Kenneth officiated at football, baseball and basketball games for many years, and loved playing golf with friends.

He was active in his church, Christ Place, where he taught Sunday school for several years, and he attended the National Quartet Convention in Tennessee whenever he was able. He was a devoted family man, the father of four, and a friend who kept in touch.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Florene Darracott Hudgins, who died in 2004; his son Winn, in 2019, and his sister, Elaine Wilson, in late 2023.

He is survived by his wife, Paula Haynes Hudgins; son, Wayne, Athens; daughters, Dawn Hudgins, Gainesville; Beth (Adam) Navage, St. Petersburg, Fla.; grandchildren, Jeremy (Leigh Ann) Walters, Bethlehem; Jason (Noelle) Walters, Rockford, Ill.; Nick and Aidan Navage, St. Petersburg; Caitlin (Jonathon) Giles, Roswell; great-grandchildren, Annabelle, Brooklyn, and Maggie Walters, Bethlehem; Lilly, Gray and Lleyton Walters, Rockford; brother and sister-in-law Philip and Shirley Hudgins, Gainesville; stepchildren, Michael (Debra) Haynes, Moncks Corner, S.C.; Pam (Dwayne) Mercer, Orlando, Fla.; Melissa Barton, Hernando, Fla.; Jennifer (Mark) Maney, Clermont; and a number of step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 6:00 until 9:00 p.m. Monday, May 20, 2024 at Memorial Park Funeral Home on Memorial Park Road, and service at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday May 21, 2024, in the funeral home chapel. The Rev. Charles “Chip” Penland will officiate, and interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Rd., Gainesville, Ga. 30504 is in charge of the arrangements.

Send online condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com