Fred Monroe Hudson 1936-2013

Category: In Memory Of
Published on Thursday, 20 February 2014 16:13
Written by D.V. Lawrence
Fred's Utopia Barbershop

Mr. Fred Monroe Hudson, age 77, of 4256 Victoria Ave., Los Angeles, CA, passed away Friday, December 27, 2013, in Los Angeles California. Mr. Hudson was born in Floyd County Georgia on April 7, 1936, son of the late Edward and Annie Bell Hudson. FEB13Fred1webFred completed his education in Buffalo, New York where he attended Barber College and Photography School. He then opened his own barber shop and photography studio. In 1962 Fred moved to Los Angeles, California and in 1966 he opened Fred’s Utopia Barber Shop on Pico Blvd., where he served the community as owner and operator for 47 years. In December of 2009, TNN featured a story about Utopia which can be found on our website under Local People – Featured Business.  “When I stepped in the front door  I was transported back to the days when I accompanied my dad to his barber shop with it's relaxed and welcome atmosphere, the conversations, the lived in environment. Fred's wall was covered with pictures that reminded guests of the long history of this popular community center. Feb13Fred4webOn my way out I stopped in the front room where the two barbers, Fred and Jerry, were getting customers presentable for holiday festivities. One customer was playfully chiding Fred for 'getting in his business".  I laughed and added, "Isn't that what goes on in the barbershop?"







Photos by D.V. Lawrence