We are delayed in announcing the passing of Delton Hudson. Born on June 6, 1940, Del departed this life on March 14, 2005. Del's enduring spirit is carried forward by his cherished daughter, Shanda Morris. His legacy of kindness, resilience, and love will forever live on through her.

Del is survived by his daughter Shanda Morris, Grandchildren Shelbi Hogan, and Colton Morris, nieces Jodie Schwerin Martinez and Tara Schwerin Miles, his sister-in-law Marcia Lowder and his brother-in-law Bob Lowder.

Del was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Terry Jo Hudson Schwerin and Denise Kay Hudson Sicard, his brother-in-laws Jimmie Parmer, Buck Friis-Hansen and sister-in-law Jeannie Parmer.

Born June 6, 1940 in Fargo South Dakota to Wilma Keyes Hudson and Delton Duane Hudson Sr., Wilma was 23 and Del Sr was 25 years when Del was born.  Wilma worked as a hotel switchboard operator and Del Sr was a parts salesman for Boeing airlines and traveled all over the world doing sales.  

Del graduated from Highline High School in Burien Washington but he was always late for class.  He excelled in Football and frequently made the local newspapers as starting fullback for the varsity team.  Del excelled in Math but did poorly in spelling and English.  he was described as "loud mouthed, big-eared, lovable, cheerful and 4-eye".  Del was very involved in the McMicken Height Baptist Youth Fellowship.  He was even the  president his junior and senior year.  After high school he took a few college courses at the local community college and had wanted to go to Bethel college to study theology but soon learned that in order to succeed in college he needed to get out of bed in the morning.  He had been wearing glasses through much of high school for some significant vision loss.  In January 1960 he joined the Marines hoping to be a navigator.  He wore contacts for his physical otherwise they wouldn't have accepted him.  They let him out of the Marines quietly  with an honorable discharge only 6 months later stating the reason was he was going to be attending a civilian  training for courses in basic aircraft mechanics and a mechanic helper on helicopters.  

Del married Ruby "Charlene" Parmer on March 29, 1968 when he was 27 and she was 34 years old.  Charlene had never been able to bear children because of a partial hysterectomy  in her early 20's.  But she surprised him one day and told him they were going to have a baby girl.  Del just laughed because he thought she was talking about another animal since the couple had lots on the property.  They were raising baby goats at the time and the couple always had at least 3 dogs at a time.  Charlene didn't push the idea of the daughter because she was afraid the biological mother might back out of the proposed adoption.  The young unwed biological mother was a friend of Charlene's Aunt Mary and Uncle Virgil who lived in Oklahoma and the baby was brought to California by them when she was only days old.  The baby girl was named Shanda Kay Jo Hudson, with the middle names coming from his sisters: Denise Kay and Terry Jo.  Shanda soon became the center of the couple's world.  

As soon as he could Del started taking Shanda with him everywhere: out into the fields, to deliver the travel trailers he was selling on the property and out to deliver the produce that was grown on the property.  At one time Del had a booming Travel trailer business.  Del 

Del built two greenhouses on the property and taught himself to grow hydroponic tomatoes.  Besides the souped up ex-cop car Del notoriously drove a white Volkswagen van, which he used to deliver his produce to stores around the San Joaquin Valley.  By 1979 he became so good at this that he procured himself a spot  on an American team of growers were sent to Libya Africa to teach the local how to grow hydroponic crops.  The family accompanied Del once he arranged for housing.  The plan had been for Del to be there for 7 years, however a few months after the family arrived there was a riot  the caught fire to the closest US Embassy in Tripoli Libya.  The day this happened Del had a broken leg and was in a walking cast.  Because of the danger to US citizens at the time, Del cut off his cast and the family narrowly escaped safely with just a few pieces of luggage.  

Later in life Del became a journeyman as a Millwright,  a skilled tradesman that basically installs and repairs industrial heavy machinery.  He quite awhile working a the Helms project, PG&E's Underground Power Plant.  

He was most proud of the Hudson property on 18.5 acres at 333 W. Fresno Street, Fowler property that he always said would sell for a whopping 1 million dollars.  People thought he was a little crazy for thinking he would get that much.  This property was right off Freeway 99 just across the street from the iconic "Madam Sofia the Palm Reader" bright circular sign.   It is truly unfortunate for him to have died shortly before the sale of his property for the million dollars, he had always purported it to be worth.  Unfortunately, he didn't get to enjoy those dividends like he should have.   

Most of all Del enjoyed the simple things in life like the Birkenstock's sandals, white undershirt, blue jeans and suspenders he wore everywhere for as long as anyone can remember.  

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