Fay Leon Hudson one month shy of 101, of Asher, Oklahoma, passed away Wednesday, January 28, 2015 in Purcell, Oklahoma.

He was born on February 27, 1914 to William Columbus and Edith Clara Harmon Hudson on a farm acquired by his grandfather during one of Oklahoma land runs.

Fay grew up on a farm near Trousdale and Wanette and attended grade school at Funducy and Adell.

His childhood was filled with hard work along with picnics and ball games.

He graduated from Trousdale High School in 1934. After high school he attended East Central University and graduated in 1939. In 1957 he received his master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma. He also received his administrator’s certificate from OU. Fay also attended OBU, Durant and Stanford.

He married Blanche Hazel Kesler on April 23, 1938 in Sulphur, Oklahoma and to this union two daughters were born, Martha Sharon and LaSaundra.

They were lifelong residents of southern Pottawatomie county except for three years during World War II when they moved to California to build troop transport ships. They both worked as welders in the shipyards.

After returning to Oklahoma in 1946, they settled in the Wanette/Asher area where Fay continued his career in education. They have lived on a ranch near Asher since 1973.

Fay began his career as an educator in 1936 at Ivy School, a one room school in southern Pottawatomie county with a beginning salary of $50.00 a month. Besides teaching he was the janitor, cook, barber, built the fire and carried the water from the well. He also taught at Adell and Tarter rural schools. Fay was teacher, principal and Superintendent at both Wanette and Asher Schools from 1946 to 1979.

He was an educator in Pottawatomie county for 40 years as a teacher and administrator.

He worked for Action in Shawnee for 17 years after retiring from education where he served as the Director of the Retired Senior Volunteer Programs.

Throughout the years he was very active in community activities.

He attended the Asher Church of Christ for many years.

Fay was a member and past president of the Diamond K Kiwanis in Shawnee, Pottawatomie County Cattleman’s Association and Pottawatomie County Retired Teachers Association. He served for 35 years as Chairman of the Democrat Central Committee in Shawnee. Fay received many awards including, Administrator of the Year for Pottawatomie County in 1975-1976, Diamond Clover in recognition of 20 years of 4-H Club Leadership, and Citation from the State of Oklahoma for his dedication and excellent service as a professional in his career. He also was presented with the Heritage Achievement Award in 1997 from the Pottawatomie County Historical Society for his lifetime work in numerous county organizations and influencing and enriching the lives of many young people in Pottawatomie County.

In 2014 when he reached 100 he was inducted into the Centenarian Club of Oklahoma. The induction took place during a wonderful party in honor of Fay attended by many friends and family held at the Asher Church of Christ.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William Hudson and Edith Clark; two sisters, Flossie and Pauline; and two brothers, Frank Hudson and Bill Hudson.

Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 76½ years, Blanche Hudson of the home; two daughters and one son-in-law, Martha Sharon Gray of Asher, Oklahoma; and LaSaundra and Don Fowler of Moore, Oklahoma; two grandsons, Todd Scott of Seattle, Washington; and Kip Fowler of Moore, Oklahoma; great-granddaughter, LaChelle Simpson and great-great-granddaughter, Kendall Simpson of Moore, Oklahoma.

The family has designated the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, 825 Northeast 13th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73104 as appropriate for memorials.

Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday, January 31, 2015 at Cooper Funeral Home and from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Sunday, February 1, 2015 at Wanette Chapel with family gathering from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Wanette Chapel.

Service will be 10:00 a.m., Monday, February 2, 2015 at Cooper Funeral Home Chapel with Jim Kelly of Asher Church of Christ and Frank Brewer officiating.

Burial will follow at Avoca Cemetery in Asher under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh.