James Michael Hudson

James Michael Hudson, of Underhill, Vt., died unexpectedly May 8, 2015 at the age of 24. He was born on February 1, 1991 in Bartlesville, Okla. James Michael is survived by his parents Mike & Debbie (York) Hudson of Underhill, Vt.; his sister Michelle Hudson of Fayetteville, Ark., Grandmother Birdie Hudson of Fort Smith, Ark. and numerous extended family members whom he loved dearly. He had several friends with whom he enjoyed spending time, including his best friend Mike Bluto. James Michael attended Root Elementary in Fayetteville, Ark. and Kells Academy in Montreal, Quebec prior to moving to Essex, Vt. in 2004. He was the Outstanding Pitcher of the Montreal West-Island Baseball league in 2004 and pitcher for the Champion team the same year. James Michael participated in Cub Scouts in Fayetteville, Ark. and Point-Claire, Quebec and with the Royal Canadian Air Cadets also in Pointe-Claire. James Michael attended Essex Middle School and graduated from Essex High School, Vermont in 2010. He held several jobs in Vermont, most recently working with Smugglers Notch Ski Resort. James Michael loved travel and participated in volunteer service via Volunteers for Peace in Iceland and Denmark. He was passionate about aviation and piloting as a young child, and became an avid self-taught student of meteorology. He also loved to participate in improvisation. James Michael fell within the autism spectrum and was intelligent, remarkably kind, sensitive, caring, loving, funny, persistent as well as patient, an excellent communicator, honest to a fault, and was just fun to be around. His family wishes to recognize the courage with which he lived his life and find solace in the knowledge that he is at peace. There will be a 3 p.m. grave-side ceremony at the Sugar Hill Cemetery, on Sugar Hill Road less than a mile east of Hwy 59, southwest of Lincoln, Ark. followed by a celebration of his life beginning at 5 p.m. at the Mount Sequoyah Retreat Millar Lodge at 151 N Skyline Drive in Fayetteville, Ark. Wednesday May 20, 2015 (both are casual attire). In lieu of flowers, the family requests to please make a donation in James Michael's honor to Autism Speaks (www.autismspeaks.org.) The family also invites you to share your memories and condolences by visiting www.awrfh.com.