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Hugh Codding Obituary

Hugh Bishop Codding, the developer who built the Merced Mall in 1969, died Saturday of pneumonia, according to the Santa Rosa Press Democrat. He was 92. Codding, who also built Modesto's McHenry Village, became a legend in residential and commercial development in the 1950s and '60s.

"I doubt there's going to be another guy that comes around like him for a long time," former Santa Rosa city manager Ken Blackman said Saturday.

Codding helped spark a retail boom in Northern California, building a number of shopping centers and malls. His company, Codding Enterprises, constructed the Merced Mall and shared a 50 percent interest with the late actor Paul Newman.
Published by Merced Sun Star from Apr. 7 to Apr. 13, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Hugh Codding

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17 Entries

Betsy Monroe

February 23, 2021

Hugh is a genius A legend. This is because of his love, kind, empathetic nature. His love / care of people and of nature. His sense of humor is unparalleled except in his son, David , and to be honest, in all of his family members, these traits are there and are spreading. Thank you, Hugh. I love you We all love you

Earle Cummings

April 29, 2010

It is good to see the kind thoughts for my late Uncle in the Merced Sun-Star. As my Mother's baby brother, he was a fixture in family life, and one with a lot of entertainment value. When I was at college, I was allowed to live in the house he built for the baby elephant, and my job in lieu of rent was to tend the trout stream and fishpond he landscaped it with. I was glad to speak a few words at the Family memorial, and caught up with many of Hugh's beloved friends and associates at the community event. Thanks to all for your loyalty to Hugh. You always knew he returned it.

Nancy (Bergstrom) Hilliard

April 14, 2010

David and Codding family, so many fond memories of growing up as neighbors and friends. I will never forget Easter egg hunts at the house, endless swimming, holidays in Hawaii and rowing the canoe in the lake. Thinking of you at this time.
Nancy (Hilliard) Bergstrom

DUSTY O'FERRALL

April 10, 2010

MR CODDING SPENT ALOT OF TIME IN COVELO WITH MY GRANDFATHER AND SOMETIME WITH MY DAD HORSEBACK AS A YOUNG MAN..I CAN TELL A FEW STORIES THAT HUGH LIKED TO TALK ABOUT BACK IN THOSE DAYS. HE SHALL BE MISSED .
DUSTY O'FERRALL

Penny "Frei" Shurtleff

April 9, 2010

To Connie Codding and Family:

Our deepest sympathy to you and your family at your loss of an exceptional, charismatic and great man.

I will always remember Hugh Codding with fond and respectful memories. He was a good and decent person who was honest, possessed a great sense of humor and always showed sincere care and concern toward all of us who were lucky enough to know him. His creativity and never ending vision of what he wanted to accomplish was larger than life itself.

I am sure that Hugh's first assignment in heaven will be to share his enthusiasm and creative vision with God's angels! God bless you, Hugh.

Penny "Frei" Shurtleff and Gordon Shurtleff

B Lindblom

April 9, 2010

To the Codding family, my condolences for your loss.

Hugh was an an inspiration to many, a man who didn't know the meaning of the word, "no." Though he leaves a grieving family, he reunites with friends and family who have gone before him. May he rest in Peace.

Wanda McCulloh

April 8, 2010

GOODBYE TO A GOOD AND LOYAL FRIEND. WANDA MCCULLOH

April 7, 2010

My the Lord continue to watch over Hugh and his family in this time of grief. Hugh will be missed.

April 7, 2010

"My condolences to the Codding family. A true visionary genius he was. He will be missed by our community." Patrice Jordan (Santa Rosa, CA)

RJ Joy

April 7, 2010

Hugh Codding will forever remain a legend in our time, as I view his revolving sign from my window nightly. He is a perfect example of Sir Winston Churchills quote,"Never,Never,Never, give up"! Through his brave and ambitious traits, he transformed our town of Santa Rosa, with style and class! Thank-you Hugh!

Bill Wiggins

April 7, 2010

I grew up in the Montgomery Village area and benefited from Mr. Codding's vision of community. Reading of Mr. Codding I am reminded of the value of life long friendships and sense of community.

Marv De Angelis

April 6, 2010

Hugh was biger than life I got to spend some time at sea ranch with him abaloneing he was very good at that sport you will be missed

Joe Gaffney

April 6, 2010

I worked with Hugh Codding on several of his projects in Rohnert Park. Yes, he was a character, larger than life. But, he was always honest and forthright. Sonoma County has suffered a great loss.

April 6, 2010

My condolences to the family. I knew Hugh several years ago and he made a huge impression on my heart, always very kind and caring. He will be missed. Krista Hall Feldman (Santa Rosa, Ca)

April 6, 2010

As a child, I played my violin in a reception for Mr. Codding. I was about four years old at the time and I can remember that he was very kind to me. He did many wonderful things for our community and thank him for creating the "Santa Rosa" we all know and love.

Jerry Hill

April 6, 2010

A GIANT of a man, in many ways, has left us and our communities with so many wonderful memories and improvements to our lives that I personally could not begin to count them. I will be forever blessed and thankful that I am able to count Hugh as a personal friend. All of my thoughts and prayers are with you, Dick (my personal schoolmate and friend), and with the entire family.
God Bless . . .

Joseph Romano

April 6, 2010

Our condolences to your family on your loss.

Hugh was a personal friend who always had a bright smile and firm handshake for me from the first day that I met him at City Hall in Santa Rosa. My boss was Broy Riha the public works director, a diving buddy of Hugh. Hugh often invited me along on lunches with Broy and I listened to his stories. Hugh always had a story or something funny he shared. He told about his hunting trips and travels. He love to fly as did Broy who was a pilot.

Hugh told me that I ended one of the best deals he ever had. He said when I ordered the water department to record serial numbers of water meters he could no longer use the same water meter to pass inspections on multiple houses. He asked Broy to tell me to stop recording the numbers because he didnt like having to buy multiple water meters. Broy told Hugh that "the kid" was a Navy man (as was Broy and Hugh) and "the kid" had a job to do and they both laughed. Both of them teased me about the meters for years and Hugh always told people that a "young wippersnapper" stopped his water meter swap. If i was there, he would wink at me and smile. He liked telling the story more than he liked the free water meters. Hugh was a kind warm person and always fun.

Broy Riha and Hugh Codding were great models of how men should act and treat people. Two of the most down to earth, kind people I know are both gone now. I learned a lot from both of them by watching and listening to them interact over 2 years ago. I hope they can get together and talk about fishing, diving and laugh about Santa Rosa politics like they did whenever they were together.

I loved seeing Hugh at various gatherings with Connie. Hugh always remembered me, said nice to see you and shook my hand warmly. He probably never kwew how much it meant to me to be remembered by him. Seeing Hugh always brough back fun memories of Broy Riha one of his best friends. It was nice of Hugh to remember "the young guy" that was his friends friend. He made me his friend too, he was just that way.

We will all miss Hugh and his vibrant sense of humor. A fun guy and a great man. I am so sorry to see him go.

To Connie and the whole family, our family sends our love and best wishes. Sincerely Joe & Pixie Romano

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