John Lester Hudson

John Lester Hudson

August 1943 – April 2025

John Lester Hudson passed away unexpectedly on April 9, 2025, while vacationing in Mexico doing what he loved. Though his absence leaves a deep ache in our hearts, we find comfort in knowing he is reunited with his beloved wife, Pat, whom he deeply missed. A celebration of life will be held in the Fall (detailed below)

Born in Seattle during the summer of 1943, with his early childhood years spent in Hawaii, John was made for adventure. From mountain climbing to paragliding, from snorkeling and surfing to skiing and bungee jumping off a hot air balloon, if it pushed limits, John was all in. His zest for life often made those around him a little nervous, but mostly in awe.

John grew up on Beacon Hill in a home built by his family and graduated from Cleveland High School in 1961. While in High School and College he worked for Seattle Parks, beginning at Van Asselt Park, across the street from his family home. Much of his city park employment was lifeguarding. He primarily guarded at Seward Park where, in his spare time, he built a purple and gold surfboard that carried stories that were enjoyed for years.

John attended Washington State University and The University of Washington. During these years he was a boxer and played collegiate tennis. He changed majors seven times before earning his degree in accounting and finance from the University of Washington in 1967.

John had met his first wife, Donna Hass, while at the UW. Their son Chad was born in 1971 in Seattle. Soon after they became close friends with Pat Hudson and her husband. Though both couples eventually divorced, the friendships and parenting partnerships remained strong. John and Pat married in 1979, blended their families and shared a life full of love, fun, travel, laughter, and many friendships.

John loved games of skill and his financial career mirrored that. His professional practice began in independent investment accounting firms. In 1969 he joined the Olympia Brewery in their finance department eventually being made the brewery's Vice President of Finance. After the sale of the brewery John served as an executive auditor at Boeing. Once he had "retired" John continued consulting and investing in businesses, driven by his love of mentoring and helping others succeed. He also volunteered his time at the YMCA, as well as at The Seattle Go Club where he led the development of The Seattle Go Center, an inventive, self-supporting commercial rental property, providing space for Go events and international visitors.

John had strong relationships and great fun with friends, neighbors and co-workers. These friendships were often marked with parties, vacations, and gatherings at local establishments. After raising their children, John and Pat divided their time between Olympia, Seattle, and Goodyear, Arizona, where he stayed active with pickleball. In Arizona he developed a love for the desert, for mountain hikes and for creating his remarkable desert botanical garden.

Diagnosed in his late twenties with a rare condition, John defied odds, becoming a pioneering participant in clinical trials that extended his active life well beyond expectations. He was deeply grateful to his medical teams and the researchers in the field that helped him continue to thrive. Not surprisingly in a addition to being a participant in their research, he was a faithful investor.

John was an advisor, a storyteller, and a man who lived boldly. His tales of risk, humor, and unexpected fortune continously surfaced even in recent years, including the legendary story of a teenage gold discovery that funded his first investments. Another of many stories was the tale of an early investment in pork belly futures, in which John barely avoided a swine disaster, it was then that the receiving of gifts of pig decor and trinkets began.

He is survived and missed by his children Steve Yunker (Susan), Cathy McCanse (Reed), and Chad Hudson (Laura), his honorary daughter Maria "Pily" Valle Mateos (Rafa); eleven grandsons, one granddaughter, eight great-grandchildren, and a beloved extended family and grandchildren in Guadalajara. He will also be missed by his sisters-and-brothers-in-law, his nieces and nephews and many loving friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Harold and Theresa Hudson, his brother Tom, and just this past June (2024) by his wife Pat.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 4th at 1:00 PM at the Jacob Smith House in Olympia. Hamburgers will be served, just the way John would've liked it.

Dad, we miss your laughter, your wisdom, and your boundless spirit. We love you. Later, bye

For historical reference we are including links at the bottom of both John and Pat Hudson's Legacy pages to one another's obituaries. https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/legacyremembers/patricia-pat-hudson-obituary?id=55457104