Ronald James Hudson, 85, of Pendleton died December 3rd at Suttle Care in Pendleton.

Ron was born August 2nd, 1927, in Pendleton to James Lowell and Mary Elizabeth Mamie Hartnett Hudson. He grew up in the Coombs Canyon area and attended the Pedro School till the eighth grade and graduated PHS in 1944. He attended OSU, enlisted in the Navy in 1945, and was honorably discharged in July of 1946. Ron married Geraldine Nelson in 1947, later divorced. He married Katherine (Katie) Stewart April 10th, 1959 and shared over 53 years happily together.

He worked on area farms after his time in the Navy then worked for IBM in Seattle for a time before settling back in Pendleton, where he worked in the fertilizer and chemical business till retiring in 2000. Rons career in production agriculture started as fertilizer and chemicals first became available, and he very much enjoyed the relationships with the farmers he served over the years. His customers were his friends, and he had many.

He was a member of the PRCA as a bulldogger, and rodeoed throughout the Northwest. Ron served as a director, then as president (89 & 90) of the Pendleton Round-Up and played a part in Happy Canyon for over 25 years. He was inducted into the Round-Up Hall of Fame in 2005. Ron enjoyed hunting and fishing, liked to watch most any sporting event, but most of all loved spending time with his family and friends.

Ron is survived by his wife Katie; children: Kevin and wife Nancy Hudson of Pendleton, Marty and wife Robin Hudson of Goldendale, Wash., and Kristine Bonniot of Los Angeles, Calif.; grandchildren: Jennifer Hudson (Portland), Ron W. Hudson (Pendleton), Jolene and husband Ron Train (Siletz, Ore.), Will Hudson (Sinclair, Wyo.), Hailey Hudson (Goldendale, Wash.), Madeleine and Liam Bonniot (Los Angeles, Calif.), and great-grandchildren Scott and Ron Train (Siletz, Ore.). He is also survived by brothers Robert L. Hudson of Parkrose, Ore., and Maurice Hudson of Roseburg, Ore., and many cousins and nieces and nephews. Ron was preceded in death by his parents Lowell and Mamie, brother Charles Hudson, an infant brother, and eldest son Scott Hudson.

Funeral service will be Friday, December 7, 2012, at 2 p.m. at Peace Lutheran Church.

You may send condolences online at www.burnsmortuary.com.

Contributions in his honor may be made to Pioneer Park Playground Fund or Peace Lutheran Memorial Fund.