Welton Albert Hudgins

Dr. Welton Albert Hudgins of Searcy went to be with his Lord on Friday, January 01, 2010. He was the son of Dr. Albert and Leslie Estes Hudgins, born September 4, 1917 in Griffithville, AR . He was married to Frances Mazza in 1945 in Washington, D.C where they were both serving in the United States Navy. They were married for 62 years.

Dr. Hudgins was the second youngest graduate of Searcy High School, graduating in 1933 at the age of 16. He then graduated from Ouachita Baptist College and the Colorado School of Pharmacy. During World War II he was stationed in the South Pacific with the United States Navy as a Chief Pharmacist Mate, The Navy Department transferred him to Washington, D.C. where he later became head of the Navy Pharmacy and for 15 months was the personal pharmacist for President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

After the War he did post-graduate work at Ouachita Baptist College and then attended Baylor University College of Dentistry, graduating in 1949. He returned home to Searcy to open his dental office and practiced dentistry for 37 years. He was a pioneer in the practice of clinical hypnosis in dentistry. Dr. Hudgins always took an active interest in his community, serving on the Civil Service Commission for 15 years and the Searcy School Board from 1964 to 1980. Dr. Hudgins and Dr. Hugh Edwards were instrumental in having fluoride added to the Searcy Water System. He was a member of the Lions Club for over 20 years serving in various capacities and served as Deputy Coroner for 17 years. He was a member of the White County Dental Society and the White County Medical Society. In 1966 Dr. Hudgins purchased Oaklawn Memorial Gardens and later built the first mausoleum in White County. He was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church.
Any one who knew Dr. Hudgins knew that he was an avid bass fisherman. He loved traveling to fish in Canada, Mexico, and Alaska, and many lakes around the United States.

Dr. Hudgins was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Frances, his brother, Dr. Paul Hudgins, and son-in-law Cecil Gardner. He is survived by his four children, Julita Gardner (Archie) Archambault, Mary Jo (Milton) Chambers, Robert (Tina) Hudgins, and Michael (Janet) Hudgins. There are 25 grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Deidra Gardner Porter (Scott), Trey Gardner (Sheri), Andy Chambers (Sarah), Chrissie Hudgins, Alan Chambers, Jonathan Hudgins, Scott Hudgins, Kathryn Hudgins, Michael Hudgins, Stephanie Hobohm, Stephen Linehan, Cecily Dilbeck, Nathan Porter, Philip and Emma Porter, Grace and Lyndsey Gardner, Landon Chambers, Shelby, Thomas, Morgan, Sutton, and Phillip Hobohm, Stevie and Julia Linehan. Many nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends also survive him.

Visitation will be at Searcy-McEuen Funeral Home from 4:00 to 6:00 PM on Sunday, January 3, 2010. Funeral Services will be at Trinity Episcopal Church, Monday, January 4, at 2:00 PM with entombment to follow at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens.

The family requests memorials to Trinity Episcopal Church, Arkansas Childrens Hospital or The Humane Society of Searcy.