James Harold Fudge

James Harold Fudge, 79, of Crandall,passed away on July 20, 2010. Born in Hillsboro, Texas on April 5, 1931 to Henry Mack Fudge and Laura Arbell Granton Fudge. Mr. Fudge proudly served his country as Staff Sergeant in United States Air Force, where he was awarded Airman of the Month. He married Bettye Irene Johnson, in Navarro County, on June 29, 1956.He received a Master's Degree from North Texas State University (now University of North Texas), while working full-time at MBank.He retired as a vice-president from MBank, formerly Mercantile Bank, after 28 years. After his retirement from MBank, hebegan a second career of twenty-four years at Betsy Ross Flag Girls where he was employed at the time of his death. Mr. Fudge was a 41-year resident of Mesquite, until moving to Crandall n 2001. Mr. Fudge sang bass with the Ellis Family Singers for many years and was co-founder and honored member of the Texas Gospel Music Hall of Fame. While living in Mesquite, Mr. Fudge was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church for many years, where he served as Sunday School Teacher, Sunday School Superintendent and was an ordained deacon. Mr.Fudge was a proud landowner in Navarro and Kaufman Counties and enjoyed gardening and taking care of his many animals on his farm in Kaufman County.His favorite pastime was spending time with his grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of 54 years Bettye Johnson Fudge, sons James (Jim) W. Fudge of Navarro Mills, Jeff Fudge of Forney,Ronny Fudge and wife Melinda of Crandall, granddaughters Jennifer Fudge, Jessica Fudge, Lacey Fudge, and Katie Fudge, and grandsons Lucky Fudge and Cutter Fudge, sisters Frances Wells and Ruby Sink of Waxahachie, brothers Edward Fudge of Waxahachie, and Robert (Bob) Fudge of Ennis, sisters-in-law, Dorris Collins and Linda Robertson, Gay Johnson and Sandra Johnson,brothers-in-law Doug Johnson, Don Johnson, Jesse Robertson,and many nieces and nephews. Service will be 12:00Noon Thursday July 22, 2010 at New Hope Funeral Home, 500 E. Hwy. 80, Sunnyvale, TX. 75182 with Rev. Don Johnson and Rev. Tom Ellis officiating. Family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday evening from 6:00PM - 8:00PM. Pallbearers will be Jim Fudge, Jeff Fudge, Ronny Fudge, Doug Johnson, Mark Collins and Jesse Robertson. Burial was in New Hope Memorial Gardens, Sunnyvale, Tx.