Russel Hudson

Russel “Kim” Hudson, 69, slipped away peacefully in his sleep on April 16, 2022 at his home in Malta.  He was born April 13, 1953 to Johnny and Wilma Ann Hudson, and grew up on the Hudson Ranch in the Upper Ruby.  What a playground for a child to have!  In the late 60s, his family moved to Alder so he could attend Sheridan High School, graduating in 1971.  He attended college in Great Falls for two years, then moved back to Alder and entered the work force, beginning a life of varied and wonderful experiences.  He worked at the Cyprus talc mine, was a 911 Communications Officer and trainer, a care-giver for his mother until her passing, a weed sprayer extraordinaire and lastly a Postmaster until his retirement in 2013.  He served as a Virginia City councilman, an Alder School Board member and was a long-time election judge for Madison County. He embraced each new chapter of his life heart and soul, always striving for excellence and to experience life to its fullest.  He had a voracious appetite for knowledge and was reading and learning to the end.  He had an especial understanding of psychology and was an advocate of psychological healing.  He was a very spiritual man (not religious) and touched the lives of many.

In 2017, Kim did the unthinkable and left the mountains that had always surrounded him, moving to Malta on Montana's Hi-Line.  Although his health prevented him from being an active member of this community, he loved it here and felt very comfortable and at peace.

A friend once referred to Kim as the bravest man he ever knew for coming out and living openly as a gay man in rural Montana.  Kim decided he was going to be true to himself, to no longer live a lie and hide who and what he was.  It is ironic that his last years were spent with a female life partner, but that was strictly a soul connection.  He was born, lived and died proudly as a gay man.

There will be no funeral service.  A celebration of his life will take place this summer in Virginia City.

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