Darin Lee Hudgens

Darin Lee Hudgens of Benton, MO, passed away on November 3, 2023, at the age of 54. He was born on July 27, 1969, in Cape Girardeau, MO, to the late Donald Hudgens and Nancy Miles.

Darin was a 1987 graduate of Oran High School. He worked as a Sales Manager for CTS in Sikeston, MO, 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 for winged decoys for duck and goose hunting. He had perfected the art of luring the waterfowl. Darin was an avid waterfowl hunter, fisherman, deer and turkey hunter. Although he loved to be outdoors as a sportsman, Darin’s main priorities in life was his family and his savior. He held the title 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 80’s 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, MO, at the 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 of Benton, MO; his mother: Nancy Jones of Perkins, MO; two sons: Jody (Mercades) Scherer of Glen Allen, MO, Austin Stause of Dexter, MO,; one daughter: Lillian (Justin) Moyers of Benton, MO; one brother: Donald (Penny) Hudgens of Marble Hill, MO; one step-brother: Wesley (Fara) Jones of Perryville, MO; two sisters: Dwana (Buddy) McClaine of Benton, MO, Deanna Hudgens of Perkins, MO; five grandchildren: Holtyn, Liam, Bentley, Luke and Emmie; many relatives and friends.

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

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

Services will be held on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at the Unity Baptist Church in Benton, MO. Visitation will be from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm. Funeral Service will begin at 2:00 pm, with Bro. Dennis Lowe officiating. Burial will follow at the Unity Cemetery near the church.