Northwest Arkansas is a region built by courageous and maverick leaders. The names of Sam Walton, Don Tyson, and J.B. Hunt always make the marquees when speaking of Northwest Arkansas, but another man was used to build the lives of people via a major corporation, and that man’s name is Red Hudson. His name and face needs to be added to the Mount Rushmore of Northwest Arkansas, along with others like Gene George and Frank Broyles.

Red Hudson built a company with 12,000 employees called Hudson Foods. His company became one of America’s top poultry and beef producers. Another great story, a World War II veteran, a simple employee who worked his way up in a company and one day said, “I can do this on my own.” At that point, he began Hudson Foods and it was in existence until he sold it to Tyson Foods.

After a brief bout with cancer, Red Hudson died on Sunday afternoon. He was always a distinguished Christian gentleman, believing in others. After being married 60 years to June, he leaves her to go to heaven. Red was a follower of Jesus Christ, confident of his relationship with Christ. He and June joined our Pinnacle Hills Church almost three years ago.

Wednesday morning I will conduct this service for the Hudson family. Even though my relationship with him has only been for three years, my love and respect was always great for Red. Again, a pioneer, a maverick leader, a man who believed in others, and one who gave others a chance to succeed.

As we lose another great leader in Northwest Arkansas, I am fearful, but hopeful, that other new leaders will emerge with the same ethics and commitments to the way people should be treated. In a day when integrity is for sale in the business world and marriage is discarded as something to be easily lost, I am fearful, but hopeful. I am hopeful that young leaders will understand this region responds to people who are willing to do it differently, but right. I am fearful that some believe different means “just to be different” and right means “right in my own eyes.”

We must pray for new leaders to emerge with a commitment to do things the right way. While you cannot replace a “Red Hudson” with another person, I am always hopeful that someone will answer the call personally when they begin to feel inwardly… I can do that!

Yes, that is what built Northwest Arkansas.