Ronald Carlisle Hudson

March 26, 1959 - April 27, 2019
Ronald Carlisle Hudson

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Ronald Carlisle Hudson, age 60 of Durham passed away on Saturday, April 27, 2019 at the Lower Cape Fear Hospice and LifeCareCenter in Wilmington.

Ron was born in Clinton, NC on March 26, 1959 to Onzie Hudson and Emily Lou Jackson Hudson.

Ron was a graduate of UNC Chapel Hill and was retired as a Chemical Analyst with Glaxo Smith Kline Pharmaceuticals.

Ron passed away from complications that arose, ultimately, from end-stage renal failure. He was an out and proud gay man who lived life to its fullest with HIV for the last 35 years. He was a chemist, a poet and a poetry translator, a Tar Heel, a lover of animals, a lover of music, a survivor, a powerful story teller, and an amateur genealogist. He was a fierce friend, hilarious, and an activist committed to justice. His influence on the lives of many grew from his modeling what it looked like to openly choose and model alternative paths, to reject and refuse to accommodate stigma, and to live the reality that the personal is political and the political is personal.

He is survived by his sister, Lynn Hudson Ezzell, his brother, Robert (Bob) Hudson and his husband, Edward (Eddy) Hudson, his niece, Aimee Ezzell, his nephew, Matthew Ezzell and partner, Brigid Bronik, his great niece, Hudson Bronik Ezzell, his great nephew, Morgan Bronik-Ezzell and two fur babies.

Ron touched so many lives, and we will remember.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date.

Share memories and condolences with the family by clicking on the “Condolence” tab.

Wilmington Funeral & Cremation 1535 S. 41st Street, Wilmington, NC 28403 910-791-9099


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  • April 29, 2019
    Harry Jenkins says:
    You were a dear friend Ron. Your friends here in Durham will miss you. I am so thankful I got to know you. I know how much you loved your family and your Schnauzer dogs Chester and Baxter. We love you and will miss you.

  • April 29, 2019
    sarah joyner says:
    sending much love to the Hudson, Ezzell family. As mentioned in the obituary, he will not be forgotten. My deepest sympathy. Hugs, Sarah Joyner

  • April 30, 2019
    Pat from New Jersey says:
    In life there are many paths you can take and many people who share the journey. But it’s the special people who help you along the way and it’s the most important people who care enough to give of themselves unconditionally thank you Ron for being one of those special people and I’m so Blessed to have been able to tell you this myself on Friday

  • April 30, 2019
    Pete Watson says:
    Very sorry to hear this news about Ron. We were childhood acquaintances, lost contact for decades, and then recently became Facebook friends. Although we had not met in decades, there was an obvious connection between us on Facebook, as we shared the appreciation of many things in life - especially music. My sincere condolences to all of his family and loved ones.

  • June 11, 2019
    Angela Elmore Noffsinger says:
    I am so sad to hear of Ronnie's passing. He was a Union Spartan classmate. Of course he was brilliant. He often helped me when a subject needed a little more explanation in order for me to grasp the concept. I'm sure my grades would have been lower if not for Ronnie's patience in helping me with Geometry proofs and French verb conjugation. I'll always remember going to see Monty Python's Holy Grail movie and Ronnie galloping down the aisle clapping his cupped hands together imitating the coconut horse hoove sound effects from the movie. We totally laughed our heads off at his antics. I moved away shortly there after and lost touch with all my classmates. However, I wii always remember Ronnie and treasure the memories of our friendship. May God bring us all comfort during this time of loss.