Jack Hudson, beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, and friend, passed away on January 15, 2023. Born on January 29, 1939, to Elaine and “Bud” (Ivan) Hudson, he was 83 years old.
Jack grew up in Akron, Ohio, where he fell in love with his high school sweetheart, Ricki Rodehaver. They both attended Ohio University, marrying in 1960 between their junior and senior years. Jack graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business and immediately entered the Air Force. While serving, he was a fighter pilot instructor, teaching Vietnamese students who were engaged in the Vietnam War.
In 1965, following Jack’s military service, he began working as a pilot for United Airlines. He worked there for 35 years and retired in 1999 as a DC-10 captain. His favorite commercial plane to fly was the B-727.
Jack and Ricki have lived in Glen Ellyn for 56 years, where they raised their three children, John, Reid, and Lyn. They treasured time with their family, especially their yearly family vacations to Hawaii. For their 50th anniversary, they shared their favorite vacation destination, taking their children and grandchildren to Kauai to celebrate.
Jack valued family and often traveled to visit with his kids and extended family. He enjoyed working with his hands on home-improvement renovations, and was generous with his skills and time helping with projects at his children’s homes. He loved being a grandpa and attending grandchildren’s ball games, performances, and events. Jack and Ricki enjoyed special family time with their kids and grandkids at their Wisconsin Northwoods home on Birch Lake. Jack enjoyed the outdoors: camping, hiking off-trail in the woods, cross-country skiing, sailing, water skiing, swimming, and just sitting around a fire in the evening, often leading a sing-along with his ukulele in hand. He loved the serene nature there, especially the birch trees, loons, eagles, deer, and other woodland creatures. He taught his grandchildren to water-ski, and also set up an archery range to teach them bow and arrow skills. In his youth, Jack was an accomplished Boy Scout, earning the rank of Eagle Scout and receiving the Order of the Arrow award. He was an avid reader and a passionate lover of music. In his free time, you could often find him relaxing in a comfy chair with the latest western or Tom Clancy novel or relaxing his eyes and humming along to his favorite singing group, the Carpenters.
Jack is survived by his beloved wife Ricki Hudson, his son John (Dee) Hudson, his daughter Lyn (Jay) Caponigro and sister Pat Kelley. Jack was preceded in death by his parents Bud and Elaine Hudson, two children Haleigh & Reid Hudson, grandson Joseph Caponigro, and sister Carole Strawhecker. He was a dear grandpa to Ben (Heather) Hudson, Chris Hudson, Josh (Martyna) Hudson, Matthew (Emily Bowe) Caponigro, Maria (Josh) Miller, Mitchell Caponigro, Monica Caponigro and three great-grandchildren due this year. He was also a special uncle, father-in-law, and brother-in-law. The family would like to express sincere gratitude to Three Oaks Hospice, who were particularly helpful in Jack’s final days.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 28th at 11 am at Glen Ellyn Evangelical Covenant Church, 277 Hawthorne Blvd, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137, followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 12 pm. After the service, the family invites guests to attend a Lunch and Visitation at the church from 1:00-2:30 pm. A committal service will be held privately.
Memorials may be directed to Friends of Birch Lake People's Community Bank, PO Box 8, Barneveld, WI 53507. Make checks payable to: Post 433/Birch Lake Account, website is https://friendsofbirchlake.wixsite.com/save/donate