Hudson James Martin was brought into this world on the morning of October 6, 2003, in Dallas, Texas. Twenty-two years & ten months later, Hudson stepped into eternity on August 21, 2026.

He spent his early childhood in Waco, growing up in the neighborhood of the church and the people he loved at Antioch Community Church. Hudson was also a founding and original student at Valor Preparatory Academy.

In 2015, his family moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to serve alongside the church planting team of Antioch Baton Rouge. Hudson was made for adventure. He loved traveling, exploring, and especially participating in overseas mission trips. He actively shared the gospel wherever he went, from Europe to Africa, Turkey to his own family's kitchen table. He shared Jesus with his Pawpaw many times and had the privilege of leading him to the Lord when he was merely 6 years old.

At just 7 years old, Hudson shared his testimony with more than 200 college students in the Dominican Republic, and several people gave their lives to Jesus. Hudson was never afraid to tell people what he believed and what God had done in his life.

Hudson was a two-sport athlete, playing varsity football and baseball. Baseball, however, held a special place in his heart. As a senior, he was named ACEL (Association of Christian Educators of Louisiana) First Team All-State Catcher and helped lead his team to a state championship in 2022. But Hudson wasn't simply an athlete. He was a teammate, a fierce competitor, and a leader. He loved the game, but more than that, he loved the people he played it with.

Hudson eventually found work that he truly loved as an electrical apprentice and crew leader at R&B Electric. He was eager to learn and quickly earned the trust of the people around him.

Hudson was incredibly smart and almost always had a book in his hand. He loved learning, and he loved sharing what he was learning with other people. He was also an avid storyteller. Once Hudson had a good story, you were probably going to hear it multiple times. And, depending on who was listening, he may or may not have added a little color and texture that wasn't originally there.

Hudson cherished being in the woods, enjoyed working with horses, loved deer hunting with his Dad and was proud to carry the DNA of a country boy.

Above all, he loved deeply. He could be strong-willed, but those who were closest to him knew that beneath that strength was a heart that cared profoundly about people, loved the presence of God, was fiercely loyal and was an advocate for those who didn’t have one.

Hudson's life was a story of being loved, loving others, struggling, forgiving and being forgiven, laughing, competing, serving, and continually being shaped by the people and God who surrounded him.

Hudson was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Ina Jean Crawford Martin and Donley Ray Martin, and baby cousin, Samuel Hammond.

Hudson leaves behind: his parents and closest friends, Bryanna and Donley Martin.

His treasured younger brother, Canyon. Whenever Hudson received encouragement about his own baseball ability, he would consistently respond, “I'm good, but wait until you see my little brother Canyon. He's better.”

His sisters, Bryley and Brecklyn, whom he adored—sometimes more than others. Sisters do, after all, have passionate opinions.

He is survived by: his grandparents, Bryan Self, Janet and Keith Hammond, Duane and Patricia Harrison. His aunts and uncles: Marissa and Rodney Diller, Chad and Marla Hammond, Scott and Catherine Williams, Billy Kent Williams, Marsha Martin, Cassee and Dale Horn, Andrew and Melissa Harrison, Amy and Dave Vanz, and Ashley and Kelly Harrison.

His many first cousins: Micah and Christian Williams, Matthew Martin, Jacob, Lucas, Beau Horn, Savannah Whitehead, Noah and Valor Harrison, Poem Nicolson, Ethan and Dawson Vanz, Ella, Parker, Hadley Harrison, Jaylen Crain , Malia, Lainey and Daxon Diller and Emma Hammond.

Our family is incredibly grateful for the countless spiritual parents, uncles, aunts, big brothers and big sisters—people who loved Hudson, invested in him, believed in him, and were part of the story God was writing through his life.

I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; 

He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. 

Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.

Psalm 40:1-3