Eugene 'Gene' Jud

Eugene F. Jud May 30, 1914 October 14, 2009 Dr. Eugene F. Gene Jud of Waco died just before midnight on Tuesday, October 13, 2009, at his home. Funeral services will be held Monday, October 19, at 10:00 a.m., at the Central United Methodist Church. Dr. Jud's brother, Dr. Gerald Jud of Montrose, Pennsylvania, Rev. Carl Freeto, and Rev. Ben Disney will officiate. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation for family and friends will be 4-6 p.m., Sunday, October 18, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Garden Room. Dr. Jud was born May 30, 1914, in Nordheim, Texas, the fifth of nine children born to Daniel and Aurelia Luhn Jud. Gene's father was a minister in Riesel, Texas, preaching in the German language until Gene was a young man. Gene received a Bachelor of Arts degree, with honors, in education and English in 1935 from Baylor University, followed by a Masters of Arts degree in Administrative Education from Baylor in 1938. He did additional post-graduate work at the University of Southern California and The University of Texas. He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from Texas Wesleyan College in 1958. He had lived 95 years full of service and benevolence. Gene was a perennial optimist, constantly exhibiting joy, encouragement, and generosity. His favorite word was love. A typical morning began with his coming to breakfast singing, "Oh, what a beautiful morning - Oh, what a beautiful day!" As a young man Gene was a teacher and high school principal before enlisting in the Navy during WW II. Beginning with the close of the War, Gene began serving in Methodist ministries in various formal and informal capacities. Upon officially retiring, he went back to work serving as Caritas Executive Director from 1978 to 2000, never drawing a salary. Gene was an exemplary family member. He and Esther enjoyed 50 years of marriage before her death in 1987. The two of them were named Humanitarians of the Year in 1986 by the Waco Conference of Christians and Jews. He personally paid the college expenses for his multiple nieces and nephews. The love of his life in his later years was Bernice Pederson whom he pursued relentlessly until he persuaded her to marry him and change her name in 1994. They enjoyed 15 years together, at first traveling, and then back to work, taking care of the poor, hungry, and homeless. He is survived by his wife, Bernice; brother, Dr. Gerald Jud and wife, Georgeanne; sister, Dorothy DeVries; and many, many cherished nieces, nephews and friends. The Jud family truly appreciates the loving help of Isaac and others from Texas Home Health, The Visiting Angels and the innumerable friends who helped care for Dr. Jud during his declining health. Those who wish to honor the memory of Eugene F. Jud are invited to make a gift to Caritas, 300 S. 15th Street, Waco, TX 76701. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com