Harold Louis Hudson was born in Coalgate, Oklahoma, the son of Avard and Irene Davis Hudson.  After his mother's tragic death in an automobile accident, Harold father married Juanita Black.  To this union three children were born - sons, L.A. and Charles and daughter, Marianne Hudson DeMoss.
The family owned and operated Hudson's Big Country Store in Coalgate and Harold worked there until the business closed in 1991.  A postcard with a picture of the store on the front says on the back that the store was located halfway between Dallas and Tulsa on Hwy 75 & 3.  The store was air-conditioned the year round and had a lunch counter, ladies' ready-to-wear, men's funishings, shoes, applicances, tires, paint, fresh fruits and vegetables, and a meat market.  Visitors could meet the "Country Boys" ~ Arvard, Bill, Charles, Harold, Castle and L.A. Hudson.

Harold loved music and played the saxophone and pinao; he also was a vocalist with the Hudson Brothers and hosted their television program that was broadcast in southern Oklahoma and north Texas for years.  

In 1973 Harold married Martha Carey Tredway and became the stepfather to Martha's son, Randy Tredway.  The family made their home in Denison, although Harold drove nearly 100 miles every day to work in the family business at Coalgate.  Martha passed away in 2004.

After her death, Harold pulled out his saxophone and began playing for church services at Trinity Lighthouse, at nursing homes and live shows with his son Randy Tredway at Randy's Music Room or with the Tredways & Friends.  He was known amongst his large circle of song writers and entertainers as "the saxophone player who was always smiling."  Harold could regularly be found on Main
Street the last few summers during Denison's Music on Main Street programs, at Devolli's Italian Restaurant, or at jam sessions with his friends.

Harold passed from this life on Monday, December 22, 2014, ten years after he lost his wife.  Randy and Helen planned a musical celebration at Trinity Lighthouse in honor or Harold on Saturday, January 31, 2015.  Songwriters, entertainers, friends and family gathered to present some of Harold's favorite songs, original numbers written in memory of Harold, familiar old gospel songs for several hours in what was called "Harold's last gig."  To close the memorial a video of Harold playing his saxophone was fittingly used.

Sources:
Obituaries. "Harold Louis Hudson". The Herald Democrat, January 29, 2015
Donna Hunt.  "Celebrating Harold Hudson".  The Herald Democrat, January 22, 2015