James Hudson was born on January 16, 1946 to Hillard and Lillian (Ross) Hudson. He was the second oldest in a family of 6 children. James was known to family and friends as "Sunny", a nickname that was given to him because he would always "light up the room" when entering.

Sunny attended Lincoln High School in East St. Louis, Illinois. He graduated with high honors and received the Junior Citizen Award. While in school he played the trumpet in the band and was a member of the drama club. After graduating high school, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps and married his first love, Mary Flowers Hudson. This union 4 children, James Jr., Yolanda (Alvin) Johnson, Darwin "Cortez" (Chanieca) Hudson, and Lamont (Canya) Hudson. Sunny remarried Juanita McGhee Hudson. This union produced his baby daughter, Andrea (Jerrill) Edwards. Sunny's second oldest child is Valerie Hudson.

Sunny was self employed as a plumber for many years. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.

James "Sunny" Hudson departed this life on Friday, July 8, 2018. He has ten grandchildren: Charles James Hudson, Alexandria Johnson, Dominique Johnson, LaFayelle (Ebrenkya) Basnight, Nathaniel (Rosetta) Hudson, Nora (Marcellus) Rush, Elisha Hudson, Jayla Howe and Desean Edwards. He is also the great grandfather of seven. James has four surviving siblings, Hilda Mason, Alphonso Hudson, Hillard (Deborah) Hudson and Gladys (Wilbert) Jenkins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hillard and Lillian Hudson; his brother, Michael Hudson and his sister-in-law, Vetta. James is loved by many nieces and nephews who fondly called him, "crazy Uncle Sunny" because he would always give them something to laugh about.