Jack Hudder

Jack Lynn Hudder was born June 30, 1936, in San Antonio, Tx to Louise Paul and Clifford Jacobs Hudder. His father was an officer in the United States Coast Guard, and they moved frequently before settling in Cape May, New Jersey in 1945. There, he met the love of his life, Jean Olszewski, on the Cape May boardwalk in 1954.

Jack enlisted in the Army National Guard in 1954, transferring to the Navy in 1955. He and Jean married in Cape May in March 1957.

They bought their first home in Levittown, Pennsylvania in 1960 and Jack continued his military career in the Army National Guard until 1969 when he joined the corporate world as an executive at C&B Toy Corp.

Their love of the water brought Jack and Jean to Key Largo in 1980. They bought Key Largo Floral & Gift Shop which they ran together for 24 years becoming one of the top 1,000 florists in the country.

Jack was a very accomplished artist and loved spending time on the water, taking photos, spending time with family, and playing with his dog Penny.

Jack passed away at home with his wife and daughters by his side on February 16, 2023. He is preceded in death by his parents, twin sister Jacqueline Laura Young, and granddaughter Danielle Smith.

Jack is survived by his wife of 66 years Jean, sister Judi Lane (Kannapolis, NC), his daughters Cindy Smith (Coral Springs, FL), Doreen Smith (Coral Springs, FL), and Cheri Cohen (Key West, FL), his grandchildren Courtney Cady, Steven Smith, and Olivia Cohen, and great-grandchildren Alyssa & Brandon Cady.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Jack's memory to the Coral Restoration Foundation.