John Andrew Hudick

John Andrew Hudick (October 5, 1938 – July 30, 2024) John Andrew Hudick, beloved husband, brother, and uncle, aged 85, peacefully passed away on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. He is preceded in death by his parents, Michael J and Katherine B Hudick. He is survived by his wife, Mary Beth in Grants Pass, Oregon, his two brothers, Michael (Muriel) Hudick, California; Joseph (Ellen) Hudick, Minnesota; sister Dolores Chwastyk, Pennsylvania; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. His life was marked by moments of joy , resilience, and connection. As we remember him, let us celebrate the legacy he leaves behind. John’s love for family was unwavering. He cherished every moment spent with loved ones, creating memories that will echo through generations. His legacy lives on in the hearts of those who knew him best. Born on October 5, 1938, in Swoyersville, Pennsylvania, John grew up in a world that witnessed immense change. He navigated life’s twists and turns with grace, always finding solace in simple pleasures. John graduated from Swoyersville High school in 1956 and shortly thereafter joined the Army. He was a proud US Army Veteran. John was a ham radio enthusiast since his teens which led him to the US Army Signal Corps. He served as an enlisted Soldier in the 1950s-1960s in the US Army Signal Corps, stationed at various installations in the US and Pacific. One of John’s greatest opportunities in the Army was witnessing a live nuclear test in the South Pacific. In 1963, after serving seven years in the Army, John settled in Mountain View, CA to work at the Stanford Research Institute (SRI). In the early 1970s, he enrolled at the Foothill College (Los Altos Hills, CA), then transferred to San Jose State University where he received a BS in electrical engineering. After receiving his degree, he left SRI to work for Loral Space and Communications. At Loral, he worked on the initial ground station for Sirius Satellite Radio. In the early 2000s, he retired from Loral and moved to Oregon, John was an avid hunter, fisherman and hiker for most of his life. This included backpacking through the high Sierra Mountains into no-man’s land. 46 years ago, he founded the Green Earth Singles, a hiking club in Santa Cruz, CA. It is still going strong today. He was also an avid reenactor, specifically for the 1830 to 1840 era, and would participate in an annual, weeklong rendezvous. He was an event favorite with his knowledge, correct era equipment and uniforms. John’s opinions may have appeared to be stubborn, but his advice and stories were golden. He was a living time capsule preserving an era that has long since passed. Services with military honors, will be held August 5, 2024, at 9 AM Pacific Time at Eagle Point National Cemetery, 2763 Riley Road, Eagle Point, OR 97524. We invite you to honor John’s memory by sharing your favorite stories or photos. Let us remember him not with tears, but with gratitude for the time we had together. Rest in peace, John Andrew Hudick. Your memory will forever be etched in our hearts.