Ralph Moore Hudgins, 90, lifelong resident of Mathews County, died June 10, 2012.

Ralph retired from W.P. Hunt Oil Company in 1968, where he was employed as a Tug Boat Captain. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II aboard a Submarine Chaser off the coast of Virginia. He was captain of fishing trawlers in both the Gulf of Mexico and off the coast of Nova Scotia.

He was a long-time member of Bethel United Methodist Church. He served 65 years as a member of the American Legion and 58 years as a member of Oriental Lodge No. 20 AF&AM in Mathews. He enjoyed outdoor activities, hunting, fishing, gardening, cutting the grass and NASCAR racing. He was always fond of a good practical joke. He always enjoyed his time with his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 31 years, Lois Evelyn Figg Hudgins; his parents, Moscow and Lena Hudgins, and his three brothers, Thomas, Elton, and Powell. He is survived by his two sons, Gary and Cornell Hudgins and his wife Phyllis; two grandchildren, Karen Lloyd and Kristi Anthony; three great-grandchildren, and a loving sister-in-law, Salome Hudgins.

The family received friends from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at Foster-Faulkner Funeral Home, Mathews. A Masonic service was held at 7 p.m. in the funeral home chapel.

A graveside service was held on Wednesday, June 13, 2012 at 2 p.m. in Windsor Gardens Cemetery, Dutton, Va., followed by a celebration of his life and a reception at 3 p.m. at Bethel United Methodist Church, Onemo, Va.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ralph’s memory to the Mathews Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 723, Mathews, Va. 23109 or to Bethel United Methodist Church Building Fund, c/o Lisa Conway, P.O. Box 364, Mathews, Va. 23109.