Arthur Leroy "Dr. Skip" Hudson III

1940 - 2025

Arthur Leroy Hudson III - known far and wide as Dr. Skip - left our world surrounded by family and new nurse friends Saturday May 3rd.

Skip was born August 28th, 1940 - or was it the 29th, a man so special he was celebrated both days - in Glendale, CA to "Lefty" (Arthur Leroy Jr.) and Marge Hudson. One of five children, and the oldest son, he took on the weight of the world and responsibility from a young age. He found the love of Rosemary Taylor Alden (Gary Parker) at 12 years old, they married at 16 and were partners for 22 years. They had five beautiful children together - Katherine Booher, Michael Hudson, Heather Hudson Crummer, Hilary Hudson David, and Paige Swanson.

Following Lefty's lead and legacy, and with Rosemary's support and young children and babies in tow, Skip received his dental degree with honors from the University of Southern California. He then attended the postdoctoral orthodontic program at USC where he earned his Master of Science degree in Orthodontics. Skip continued the practice that his father built and created true community in the field, practicing for 50 years.

The impact of Skip's work extended beyond the beautiful smiles he created - he was a source of levity for his patients and colleagues, and made those around him feel truly seen and appreciated. He was described as a "quiet soldier" through his work with Glendale Healthy Kids, which provided orthodontia to low-income families in the city of Glendale. Dr. Hudson was a member of the American Dental Association, the American Association of Orthodontics and a Diplomat of the American Board of Orthodontics.

It was in Skip's office that his wife Deborah Holliday Hudson fell in love with him - in witnessing his grounded energy and way with his father, his colleagues and patients, and his kids. Divorce is never without heartache and hardship, but the Hudson family takes pride in the way children and parents alike navigated a challenging separation and eventual expansion of family. Skip and Debbie married and welcomed daughters Hailey and Cassidy Hudson. Skip's seven children share similarity of physicality and spirit - and a closeness and joy made ever stronger in adulthood. Skip credited the grace with which Rosemary and Debbie prioritized the well being of their children and reverence for respect and humor for the way in which the family evolved and came back together. He was a man immensely proud of his family - a sentiment he shared with more ease in the last several years, making a particular point to say this to his children during moments alone. This legacy includes the lives of eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Skip loved Elvis, banana cream pie, and the water - be it fresh or salt. He would whistle the same tune upon coming home from work entering through the garage door. He loved reenacting commercials he found funny at the dinner table - "you're killin' me Larry!" His preferred leisure wear were a pair of swim trunks or jeans and socks with Birkenstocks. He carried lucky talismans in this pocket, smooth rocks and coins. He had an affinity for fixing things, and affixing, often with Shoe Goo. He'd jump into the Kenneth road home pool fully clothed, and bellow out "I call a night swim!" He flossed his teeth while driving. He was a character and a rascal.

He was not one for travel - he was very much a person rooted in routine and appreciated the beauty of the familiar. However, road trips to Lake Powell for house boating were sacred to him. These trips became a constant for several years - the dry heat and red rocks fostered a special kind of magic. Nights punctuated by thunderstorms and dancing - often on the top deck to Celine Dion, a favorite of his.

Skip retired at 77 - He deeply loved his work, and his dedication, drive and consistency to his practice was not only admirable but almost in itself a frequency that existed on another plane, or of a time passed, like radio waves playing "you ain't nothin' but a hound dog". All this said, when he was done, he was done, and eased into a life on Catalina with immense joy and gratitude. "This is the life, aren't we lucky?" he would say, nearly daily, staring out the window overlooking Hamilton Cove, taking in the curvature of the beach line and hills and palm trees.

Skip and Debbie were married 44 years, the last 9 of which they spent on Catalina. Skip's parents would sail over to the Casino in the 1950's and frequent the Isthmus Yacht Club. Debbie's parents Lloyd "Doc" and Jean Holliday honeymooned on the island. Around 2012 Skip and Deb felt a pull to visit Avalon, and just kept coming back. Settling on the island for retirement felt more instinctual to them than a definitive decision.

Both the topography and community of the island embraced them. The slower rhythm of the place, and humble shift in priority and attention allowed for a recharging of mind and spirit. Skip was by nature a present person. He perhaps carried some pain from the past, but he didn't live there, nor did he concern himself with future anticipation. He lived fully in the moment, and could pull you in with him. Catalina was like a companion summoned to keep him in his present, and a destination to allow friends and family to join him there.

This is the life. Aren't we lucky?