Hudson LaVon Abbott

Hudson LaVon Abbott, age 88, of Crossett, Ark. passed away on February 15, 2016 following a brief illness. He was born on October 24, 1927 in Sheridan, Ark. to his late parents, Weldon B. and Lou Ella Winningham Abbott. Mr. Abbott was also preceded in death by his step mother, Betty Taylor Abbott. He joined the navy in 1945, at the age of 17 and served until 1946. While serving he received three medals and was honorably discharged and then returned to Camden to finish high school in 1947. After graduation he attended Arkansas State Teachers College in Conway, Ark. and graduated in 1949. His first teaching position was at Annie Camp Jr. High School in Jonesboro. 1n 1950, he moved to Fordyce as the jr. high history teacher and basketball and football coach. A summer job with Tri State Mill Supply Co. led to a change in career. He moved to Pine Bluff, to open and manage Tri State Mill Supply there. In 1960 he moved his family to Crossett, the headquarters for Tri State. He held several positions during his time there, including purchasing agent and district manager. In 1975 he transferred to Georgia Pacific, where he established and managed Investment Recovery. He held that position until his retirement in 1989. After retirement, he became an avid gardener and was well known for his organic gardening. He also shared the many vegetables and flowers he grew with friends and neighbors. He was known as being an encourager by his ever-present smile and many acts of kindness. He is especially remembered by his grandchildren for his patience and perseverance in teaching them all things about gardening, driving and financesl. They are blessed with many memories of those times. Mr. Abbott was a member of First Baptist Church of Crossett and taught a men's Sunday school class for many years. He became a Rotarian I 1953 in Fordyce and later in Pine Bluff and Crossett and was a Paul Harris Fellow. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mary Ruth Dedman Abbott; two daughters, Shirley Langston (Rene) of Springdale, AR and Margaret Pope (Max) of Crossett, Ark.; one brother, Jim Abbott of Bahia Kino Mexico; one step-brother, Bud Taylor of Sanford, N.C.; one step-sister, Mary Ross Taylor of Houston, Texas; seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren and two nieces and five nephews. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, February 18, 2016 at First Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Pinewood Memorial Park under the direction of Jones Funeral Home of Crossett, Ark. (www.jonesservice.com). Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Crossett, Ark., 701 Main Street, Crossett, Ark. 71635 or Gideon's International, PO Box 83, Crossett, Ark. 71635.