Donald M. Hudson, 76, of Lexington, KY, passed away on the afternoon of February 2, 2024.

Don was born in Lexington and his early years were divided between Kentucky and Fort Myers, Florida, where he attended high school. After graduation, he returned to Kentucky to attend Eastern Kentucky University and met his future wife, Martha Faye Carpenter, through a blind date arranged by one of his friends. The two fell in love and married and returned for a time to Fort Myers, where their son Kelly was born. They eventually moved back to Kentucky where Don and Faye raised Kelly and their daughter, Gina.

Don worked for many years for First Security Bank, eventually leaving there to work various positions in various financial institutions. In retirement, Don worked part time at Keenland and Enterprise. The biggest joy of Don's life, outside of his family, was the many years he spent being a Kentucky high school football referee, where he worked with lifetime friends for over thirty years. It was a sad day when age caused Don to have to hang up the stripes for good.

Don is survived by his son, Kelly Hudson, his granddaughter, Ciara Stephenson and her husband Benjamin, and his many great-grandchildren, Tatum Faye, Skylar, Isabel, and Orion. They will all dearly miss this giant of a man, who gave everything he had for his family and friends. If you ever needed anything, Don would be there for you. Don had a giant heart and an even bigger sense of humor. There wasn't an impish joke that he wouldn't pull.

If you knew Don, you were blessed. This world is a bit darker of a place without his smile, and all of his friends and family will miss him.

Services will be held at Milward Funeral Home, 391 Southland Dr., Lexington, KY, 40503, on Wednesday February 7, 2024 from 5:00pm-7:00pm. Funeral will be held at 12:00pm Thursday February 8, 2024, at the same location. In lieu of flowers, Don would appreciate donations to the American Cancer Society.