Jim was born in Decatur, Illinois on November 20, 1947.  He spent his youth in France, England, Holland, and various parts of the U.S., as his dad was in the military.

It has been said that a man preaches his own eulogy, by the way he lives.
Jim loved his family. Jim loved having fun with his family, more than anything - whether it was taking us to Kemah; cooking for us; taking us out to eat, buying us gifts, or just playing together in the pool.  Every person in his family was SPECIAL to him. Past and present. And we see that trait in his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

We know that Jim liked cars, driving his Mustang convertible, Taylorville Illinois, Chicago (the city and the group), good food, Gino's East, the White Fence Farm, the American Legion, the Bears and the Cubs, Tex-Mex, and traveling the world in his job.

He was proud of his Army service in the Vietnam War; his 33 jumps as a member of the 82nd Airborne; his career as a U.S. Immigration Officer; his experience in law enforcement positions at county, state and federal levels, and his full head of beautiful thick white hair, that he kept to the end! He was a generous, God-fearing man, who endured the challenges and indignities of his illness with great courage. He lived his life as a man prepared to die, and we know that he rests in the arms of our mighty God.

Jim is survived by his wife Shirley; daughter Kelly Hudson-Smith (Ken); son Jeffrey Clay Hudson (Susan); grandchildren Katie Smith Walton (Justin), U.S.Army Spc Kenneth Smith Jr., Rebekah Hudson, Jadon Hudson, and Kinley Smith; great-grandchildren Keaten Walton and Daniel Clay Walton.

Our family wishes to thank our many friends and family, who supported Jim and his family, with their thoughts, prayers, and deeds, through his illness. We also wish to thank his caregivers at Tomball Rehab and Skilled Nursing.

Services are private.

In lieu of floral arrangements, please feel free to make contributions to the Alzheimer's Association, the American Heart Association, or the charity of your choice.