Clifford Lowell Hudson

Pioneer Alaska bush pilot Clifford Lowell Hudson, 84, passed away March 5, 2010 at the Alaska Veterans and Pioneers Home in Palmer after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s.

A funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Church on the Rock in Talkeetna. Burial will take place alongside his son at the Talkeetna Cemetery immediately following the church service. Potluck to follow services at a location to be announced.

Cliff was born Oct. 27, 1925, to Charles and Mina Hudson in Malott, Wash. He graduated from school in 1944 and joined the Army until he was honorably discharged in 1946. He arrived in Alaska in 1948 to join his brother Glenn and family, who owned the Hudson Air Service business in Talkeetna. Cliff took over the business after his brother lost his life to an airplane accident. His love of Alaska and his love of flying, his skills, safety and integrity took him through many years of happy and appreciative times working with all who met him. In his flying experiences he was involved in many rescues. A short DVD has been made of some of Cliff’s life stories.

In 1996, Cliff was honored by the Air Force when it presented him with its highest civilian award, the Exceptional Service Award, the equivalent of the military’s Distinguished Service Medal, for his heroic actions that helped save the lives of six airmen in February 1954.

He is survived by his wife, Ollie; sons, Bruce, Chuck and Scott; two grandsons, Dustin and Clifford; as well as nieces and nephews, many relations and good friends.

The family would like to thank all the caretakers at the Pioneer Home for their wonderful care while he lived there.

Arrangements were by Valley Funeral Home.