John Stephen Hodel

John Stephen Hodel, 64, passed away peacefully on February 18, 2026, after a short battle with cancer. He was surrounded by family, who were greatly consoled that he received all the Sacraments of the Holy Catholic Church, including Extreme Unction. He was born on June 21, 1961, at the old Providence Hospital in Anchorage. A proud fourth-generation Alaskan, John was the oldest of six children born to Max and Joanne Hodel. Except for his years attending Seattle University, he spent his entire life in Alaska, a place he loved deeply.

John was undoubtedly best known for his cherished role as "Uncle John." Beloved by his twelve nieces and nephews, he taught many of them to cast a fishing pole almost before they could walk. His imaginative tales—featuring Ogo Pogo, shape-shifting otters, and Chupacabras—became legendary in family lore. Quite simply, he made their childhood magical.

Annual trips to the Kenai River with family and friends were among his most treasured times, and where he earned the moniker "the Rodfather". Shaped by the rock era of the 1970s, he delighted in sharing his favorite music—Supertramp, America, and countless other classic bands—with the younger generation, especially on those road trips to the Kenai Peninsula. Equally beloved was family time in Lahaina.

A lifelong learner, John was an avid reader with a wide range of interests. Largely self-educated, he had a sophisticated understanding of many subjects. Entrepreneurial and hardworking, John operated his own logistics business, taking pride in the independence and challenge it offered. He well served his clients and many of them became great friends. Among other professional accomplishments, he served on the board of Ryan Air.

John found peace and joy in gardening and took great pride in beautifying the family home. In his earlier years, he had a passion for skiing, golfing and yachts and boating, cruising the inside passage with his father on the Joanne Marie and rarely missing a boat show or Seafair in Seattle.

Above all, he was happiest when surrounded by his family at numerous family gatherings and dinners. John devotedly took care of his beloved parents for the past fifteen years. He is survived by his mother, Joanne Seeley Hodel; his brother, Christopher Hodel; and his sisters, Jennifer Mezich (Walt), Karen Hodel McLaughlin (Jeffery), Michelle Hodel, Megan Hodel (Joe Klekotka), and by his honorary sister, Toi Phillips. He is also survived by his nephews Andrew, Ryan, Max, and Spencer Mezich, and Patrick, David, Christopher, and Joseph Hodel; as well as his nieces Anne Marie, Lael, Catherine, and Mary Elizabeth Hodel, and by a growing number of in-laws and grand-nieces and -nephews. John was preceded in death by his father, Max Hodel, and by his niece, Julianna.

A Requiem Mass will be celebrated at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, at Holy Family Old Cathedral, with the Rosary beginning at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Dominicans at Holy Family Cathedral