Hudgins, Harlan East Lansing, MI and Naples, FL

Harlan Hudgins, of East Lansing and Naples, Florida died February 10, 2004 at his Naples home.

Harlan was born July 2, 1924 in Detroit, Michigan. During his junior and senior years at Detroit Central High, he played center on the basketball team that won two city championships.

Harlan served in the U.S. Navy during WWII and was awarded a purple heart. Stationed aboard LST 1107, he participated in the invasion of Okinawa. After the war, Harlan received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in science from Wayne State University in Detroit. He did post graduate work at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. As a public school superintendent, he spent 21 years in the Wayne County Michigan area. Since 1975, he had been actively involved in his family real estate business in East Lansing and Florida.

Harlan would light up a room with his sense of humor and outgoing personality. He was happy, often eccentric, consistently outspoken and resolute in his beliefs. A devoted family man, he was especially happy when spending time with loved ones. He thrived on fine dining and was an avid world traveler. Those that knew him will remember his spontaneity, quick smile and witty comments that led to laughter by all. In his later life, he developed a fondness for flower gardening.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, June Cole Hudgins; son, David Hudgins and his wife, Dianne of Naples; son, Jeffery Hudgins and his wife, Sally of East Lansing; daughter, Nancy and her husband, Robert White of Rockledge, FL. Grandpa was a friend and mentor to his grandchildren, Caitlin, Molly and John Hudgins of Naples; Sarah and Katie Hudgins of East Lansing, and Michael, Elizabeth, Matthew, Rebeccah and Nathaniel White of Rockledge. He was preceded in death by his father, Dr. Bert Hudgins; mother, Bessie Emma David Hudgins; and sister, Jean Hudgins Cole.