Marques “Keesie” Hudson

Plainfield Fire Department Fire Lieutenant Marques “Keesie” Hudson responded to a residential fire on January 26, 2024. While fighting the fire, he became trapped and a mayday was called. He was immediately rescued and CPR was performed. He was transported to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. He was 32 years old and had served with the Plainfield Fire Department in New Jersey for two years.

Hudson was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, to parents Vickie and the late Allen Hudson. He had a sister, Jaqwetta, and two brothers, Allen and Jaquan. He grew into a superior athlete, excelling in various sports. His baseball skills earned him a scholarship to Lincoln University. After two years, he returned home for the birth of his firstborn son, Kaleb. He remained home to help care for his son who experienced some health issues. That was the kind of man he was, always there for those that needed him. He was a great hands-on dad to his three sons, enjoying culinary experiences with Josiah and volunteering to coach Isaiah’s T-ball team. Hudson always wanted to be a firefighter from a young age and visited neighborhood firehouses often. He was proud to serve with the Plainfield Fire Department and enjoyed the brotherhood he shared there. He was known for the love, support and dedication that he showed to his friends, family, colleagues and the community he served. He was promoted to Lieutenant posthumously.

Hudson met his future partner in life, D’onnah Jones, when they were teenagers working at AMC. She tried to help him run tables so he would not fall behind. It turned out that he took the time to teach D’onnah how to do it properly, all with a smile on his face. Their desire to help each other drew them together. The family tradition was to wrap the Christmas presents on Christmas Eve after the children went to bed, placing them under the tree, and waking up to experience the joy of Santa’s arrival with the children, all of them dressed in their Christmas pajamas. Hudson always took a bite of the cookies left for Santa by the children. His legacy was built on courage, compassion and responsibility. He showed up without hesitation and gave all of himself. He touched, protected, and was kind to everyone, all with a smile on his face. He would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. He had a very big heart and died a hero who will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Plainfield Fire Department Fire Lieutenant Marques “Keesie” Hudson is survived by his loving partner, D’onnah Jones, his sons, Kaleb, Josiah, and Isaiah, his mother, Vickie Hudson, his sister, Jaqwetta, and his brothers, Allen and Jaquan Hudson, along with many cherished family members and friends.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has provided the Marques family with a mortgage-free home through the Fallen First Responder Home Program.