Darin Hudgens

BENTON, Mo. — Darin Lee Hudgens of Benton passed away Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at the age of 54.

He was born July 27, 1969, in Cape Girardeau to the late Donald Hudgens and Nancy Miles.

Darin was a 1987 graduate of Oran (Missouri) High School. He worked as a sales manager for Construction Trailer Specialists in Sikeston, Missouri, from 2015 until his passing. He previously worked for another local trailer manufacturing company.

Aside from his sales position, Darin was a tour guide for MO-SNOWS-N-SPECS. He also was an inventor of winged decoys for duck and goose hunting. He had perfected the art of luring waterfowl. Darin was an avid waterfowl hunter, fisherman and deer and turkey hunter.

Although he loved to be outdoors as a sportsman, Darin's main priorities in life were his family and his Savior. He held the titles of father, grandfather, husband and uncle, but no matter which title he held, loved and cherished is how everyone felt about him. He was always lending an ear to family and friends to help them through their journey.

Darin always had a joke or some way to make everyone laugh. He loved '80s music and was a drummer in his younger years. He was "Mr. Fix-It" for all the things that went wrong. No matter what the task, between himself and YouTube, he could fix it.

Leader, role model, family man or friend, no matter what you called him, Darin was a Christian. His love for the Lord was always known, and his testimony was always shared.

On July 6, 1996, Darin married the love of his life, Tora Baker. They were united in marriage in Bloomfield, Missouri, at Bible Tabernacle. Darin shared his love for the Lord with his wife and passed it down to his children, Jody, Austin and Lillian.

He is survived by his wife, Tora Hudgens of Benton; mother, Nancy Jones of Perkins, Missouri; two sons, Jody (Mercades) Scherer of Glen Allen, Missouri, and Austin Stause of Dexter, Missouri; daughter, Lillian (Justin) Moyers of Benton; brother, Donald (Penny) Hudgens of Marble Hill, Missouri; stepbrother, Wesley (Fara) Jones of Perryville, Missouri; two sisters, Dwana (Buddy) McClaine of Benton and Deanna Hudgens of Perkins; five grandchildren, Holtyn, Liam, Bentley, Luke and Emmie; and many relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Donald Hudgens, and two grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7, at Unity Baptist Church in Benton.

Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7, at the church, with Brother Dennis Lowe officiating. Burial will follow at Unity Cemetery near the church.

Pallbearers will be Donald Hudgens, Jody Scherer, Austin Stause, Justin Moyers, Joe Sherrod, Jeff Davidson, Eric Crites and Landon Klaffer.