Obituary of Randall Ray Hudson

Randall Ray Hudson, 62, died a year after being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Born in Yakima, Washington, to Ronald and Yvonne (Akland) Hudson, Randy grew up in Santa Rosa, California. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from the University of Oregon and moved to Portland in 1979 to begin a career in advertising and sales. Active in the Portland Advertising Federation, Randy served as president of Portland Ad2, a club for advertising professionals under 30. While traveling on behalf of the group in 1985, he met Cindy Blanchard of Brusly, Louisiana. It was love at almost first sight, and Cindy moved to Portland to be with Randy that same year. The couple married in 1989 and raised two daughters, Madeleine and Catherine. Randy believed in giving his all to whatever he decided to do. In his career that meant setting sales and management records at the companies he worked for, which included KXL AM/FM, KXJM-FM, and the Neil Kelly Company. In his personal life that often meant going for long hikes or walks on the beach, riding his bicycle, fishing, playing racquetball, skiing, traveling to explore new places near and far, growing abundant tomatoes in his garden, and sipping Oregon pinot noir on his back deck with family and friends. Those who knew Randy best loved his ready smile, his hearty laugh, his zest for life, his generosity, and his ability to make the people he cared for feel important. A dedicated and loving husband, father, and son, Randy was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife and daughters. Remembrances may be made to The Nature Conservancy of Oregon, which owns the Tom McCall Preserve at Rowena in the Columbia River Gorge where Randy volunteered for many years as an on-site naturalist. .