David Hudson

David Hudson, 73, died after a series of health-altering diagnoses and ultimately a short fight with a form of acute leukemia…at home near family and friends, and under comforting and supportive hospice care.

David was born in Davenport, Iowa, grew up in the Quad Cities (Iowa/Illinois) area, and found a life-long interest in tuning, racing, and caring for motorcycles and cars – at least until he discovered golf. David worked at motorsports shops and managed the service departments of auto dealerships in the Davenport area…and later in Milwaukee. He was recruited away from the retail side of the business to Jim Moran & Associates/JM Family, a leader in supporting profitability and operations of owner-dealers across the country. As a zone manager, David traveled extensively throughout the western U.S. during a 20+-year career, earned a lot of airline and hotel rewards, and most importantly, developed relationships and friendships cherished today.

David served 28 years in the Iowa Army National Guard and Wisconsin Army National Guard, retiring with the rank of major in 1999. For the past 10 years David deployed some of the skills learned in service to his resident states, volunteering as a CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) trainer/leader for Pinal County, Arizona.

Family members keeping David close in their hearts include his wife, Jill Van Dierendonck; daughter Kiley Van Opdorp; son-in-law Christopher Van Opdorp; grandson Hudson Van Opdorp; daughter Emily Hudson; sister Karen Ott; and father-in-law Joe Van Dierendonck. Friends holding on to so many good memories include neighbors from Iowa, Wisconsin, and Arizona; league golfers David competed with every week; a special foursome who met for summer rounds together; work associates, volunteer teammates, and a small group of the very best friends a guy could ever ask to know.

No services are planned; ashes will be spread on a special day. If he could, David would ask you to remember him by recalling all the good times you shared…and by remembering to say ‘I love you’ to someone every day.

“I thought there would be more time. More time to play courses I hadn’t yet. More time to see my grandson grow older. More time to hold hands with Jill.”

“Here’s my advice. Find a stretch of open road and go fast. Play 18 with your best friends the next chance you get. Take your dog on a long walk. Eat tacos. Do your best. Help someone out when you can.”

David’s family invites friends to consider a memory gift to a favorite organization. His legacy gifts will go to the Beagle Freedom Project (bfp.org); No Kid Hungry (nokidhungry.org); Hospice of the Valley (hov.org); youth sports, and groups helping unite veterans with service animal companions.

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