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 1933 - 2011 John Henry Hodgson, ( known to many as “Hoik”, which was short for “Hercules”, a name he acquired from Reg Taylor because of his great strength ) was born February 20, 1933 to Adolphus and Florastine Hodgson in Hay Lakes Alberta, where they lived until 1938. When John was 5 years old the family moved to Kotcho Lake and then to Kantah BC. before settling at Old Fort Nelson, BC. John grew up at the Old Fort where he attended school. He loved to read and he was a very good writer. When he was 18 years old, he went trapping with four pack dogs and stayed at the family cabin on the bank of the Nelson River. John said that he had a good year as he had 50 pelts by spring break up. He loved trapping and telling stories about his times in the bush. He was a strong man and would work hard when called upon to do so. He did various jobs during his working years like fire fighting,construction, mud packing, seismic, swamping and other jobs as well. In his late 20’s after working hard all winter, he decided to go on a holiday with his savings. He was found behind a hotel in Dawson Creek with his suitcase and his money gone. He had suffered a severe hit to his head that fractured the left side of his skull and did damage to a part of his brain. From this point on he had health problems like memory loss and dementia. John spent 5 years in Vancouver healing and regaining his memory before coming back to Fort Nelson. John’s attitude toward life was that of a free spirit man after this incident. He hung his hat and rested wherever he happened to be at the end of the day did not spend much time worrying about the finer things in life like most people do today. He was a humble man, living life the way he saw fit. He was kind, humorous and he loved people. He was a little mischievous at times and most everyone liked John and kept an eye on him but still left him to live his own way. John loved music and dancing. He played the fiddle and harmonica. When he was 48 years old, he went trapping with his nephew Roy Gairdner down at Prophet River. Brenda’s recollection of John was that he was very intelligent and she challenged him a lot with the dictionary. She said he would give her the correct meaning of every word she picked. She also said she learned during that time that he was very knowledgeable as well regarding bush life and trapping. One winter John dressed up as Santa Claus and delivered present to the children in Prophet River. He enjoyed being a Santa and many times surprised children in Fort Nelson by delivering presents to their door at Christmas time. He was a regular Santa for many years. One summer he even went prospecting with Bob Russel near Whitehorse. He enjoyed and was very interested in looking for base metals. They had a great time, he said, but we don’t know if they found any pay dirt. Another of John’s favorite past times was to cruise around town with Pearl Thompson and see the sights and then come to the Friendship Center for coffee and a visit. A few years ago, John moved to Dawson Creek and lived in the Rotary Manor. In February of 2011, John had a cancerous tumor removed. The operation was successful and he was recovering at the Rotary Manor. Plans were being made to move him back to Fort Nelson, however, he had a massive stroke on March 19th and passed away on March 24th in the Dawson Creek Hospital. John was predeceased by his parents Adophus and Florastine Hodgson, brothers Jimmy and Billy, Sisters Nora, Mary and Florence(Bonnie), and Nephews Roy Gairdner, David Jensen, Billy Gairdner, Nieces Florence( Susie )Jensen, Nora Jensen, Cousin Larry Hudson and great nieces Nikki Macdonald and Christine Gairdner. He leaves to mourn his passing “all his species” the name he gave to his nieces and nephews that loved him so much, his other family members and his many friends. |
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Dawson Creek: (250)
782-2577 Serving Fort St. John |
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