Perry Andrew Hudel

Perry Andrew Hudel, 84, of Summerville, SC, passed away on Tuesday, May 2, 2017.

He was born on November 17, 1932 in Dallas, TX, son of the late Augusta Pauline Marburger Hudel and the late William August Hudel.

Perry was a three sport athlete at North Dallas High School and played college basketball at East Texas State College (now Texas A&M University-Commerce), where he graduated in 1955. He married Shirley Kenty Hudel on August 9, 1954 in Dallas, Texas and was commissioned into the United States Air Force in August, 1955 as a Second Lieutenant. He earned his pilot’s wings in September, 1956 and during his 30 year Air Force career, he obtained his Masters Degree from Central Michigan University, rose to the rank of Full Bird Colonel and received numerous medals, with his highest awarded honor being the Air Force Legion of Merit.

Perry logged over 10,000 flying hours during his career, including air evacuation missions at Rhein Main AFB in Frankfurt, Germany; served as an instructor pilot at Connelly AFB, TX following his graduation from flight school, and again as an instructor pilot at Andrews AFB, MD during the Viet Nam war era; flew rescue missions off the coast of Greenland while assigned to an amphibious squadron at Thule, AFB; flew T-39 Sabreliner jets in support of V.I.P. airlift transport service at Andrews AFB, MD and flew C-141 Strategic Airlifter Transport planes for the 76th Squadron at Charleston AFB, SC. During his distinguished career, he also served as Wing Commander at Andersen AFB, Guam, MAC Airlift Control Elements (ALCE) at the Pentagon and his final assignment as Director of Personnel at Charleston AFB, SC before retiring in September, 1985. He also obtained his Masters Degree from Central Michigan University while serving in the Air Force.

He was an avid fisherman all over the world and a sports enthusiast. First and foremost, however, family was his true love. Perry was a devoted husband, loving father and caring grandfather. He will always be remembered for his honesty, integrity and loyalty.

Besides his parents, Perry is predeceased by his sister, Marcella “Marcy” Buckalew, who served as a nurse in the US Navy at Pearl Harbor during WWII and his brother, William “Bill” Hudel, who served in the US Navy aboard the USS Hornet during WWII.

He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Shirley Kenty Hudel of Summerville, SC; a son, Drew Hudel and his wife, Julie, of Lovettsville, VA; daughter, Carol Tidwell and her husband, Doug, of Mt. Pleasant, SC; three grandchildren: Ashton Williams, Kathryn Adair and Benjamin Thrailkill IV and four great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, May 9, 2017, at McAlister-Smith Funeral Home West Ashley Chapel. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service from 10:00 AM until time of the service at the funeral home. Private burial will be at Beaufort National Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Air Force Aid Society at Airman Family Readiness Center, 104 E Simpson St. #500, Charleston AFB, SC 29404 (843-963-4406) or to the Charleston Animal Society, 2455 Remount Rd, North Charleston, SC 29406 (843-747-4849).

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted to www.mcalister-smith.com.

Arrangements entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, West Ashley Chapel, 2501 Bees Ferry Road Charleston, South Carolina, 29414, 843-722-8371.