05/08/2026
Dear Friends… Richard… Dad… went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday evening. Thank you all so much for your prayers. They were greatly appreciated.
Richard Alton Hudson, 79, of Clarksville, Delaware, passed away into the arms of his Savior on May 5, 2026 at home, surrounded by loving family.
Richard was born March 10, 1947, the son of Kendall W. Hudson, Sr. and Lenora M. Hudson of Bethany Beach, Delaware. He graduated from Lord Baltimore in 1965, then went on to serve his country in the National Guard until his honorable discharge in 1972.
Richard married his high school sweetheart, Melody A. Bassett, on October 4, 1965 and they recently celebrated their 60-year wedding anniversary. They had two children together, Kimberly and Christopher. Together, they loved American history and architecture, loved to visit historic sites along the Eastern Shore, and especially loved visiting Williamsburg, Virginia. Richard and Melody built Hudson’s General Store in Clarksville, Delaware in 1990, hosting antique shows and events, and building a community of craftsmen and women within Sussex County and the greater Eastern Shore area.
Richard was a master carpenter, building hundreds of beautiful custom homes in the Bethany/Fenwick Island area over his career. He loved to study historic architecture to incorporate into his homes, especially the American Colonial period.
Richard loved his Lord and Savior, his family, and his country. You could often find Richard cutting grass with his tractor on his 10-acre property or plowing snow from his neighbors’ driveways. He could master any hobby he set his mind to, such as blacksmithing, furniture building, or adding rooms onto Melody’s house when she went away on a trip. He loved the water and the Eastern Shore, and when he wasn’t working with his hands in some capacity, you’d find him on a boat. Richard was a pillar in his community, and gave of himself to anyone that had need. He always had a kind word to say, a great story to tell, or solid advice to give.
Remaining to cherish Richard’s memory are his wife, Melody A. Hudson; daughter and son-in-law Kimberly and Christopher Frey; granddaughter Jordan and her husband Luke Boesch and their children Jackson, Derik, Seeley, and Amelie, granddaughter Katelyn and her husband Alex Donovan and their children Ezekiel and Tasha, grandsons Tyler Frey and Noah Frey; brothers, James Hudson and family, Douglas Hudson and family; sister-in-law Robin West and family; and many other friends and family that have been a beloved part of his life for many years.
Preceding Richard in death are his son, Christopher D. Hudson; parents, Kendall W. Hudson,Sr. and Lenora M. Hudson; and brother Kendall W. Hudson, Jr.
A private graveside service will be held. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made in Richard’s memory to either The Tidal Health Foundation or the Millville Volunteer Fire Company…
Tidal Health Foundation, designated for Tidal Health Atlantic, 100 E. Carroll St., Salisbury, MD 21801, or online at tidalhealth.org/donate . For more information, please call 410-543-7140
ATTN: Fire Fund, Millville Volunteer Fire Company, 35554 Atlantic Ave., Millville. DE 19967, or online at http://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/fire-fund-donations-in-memorium-of-richard-hudson
