John Robert Hoder passed away May 10, 2020, at his home after a long and hard-fought battle of prostate cancer that metastasized to the bone. He was born on June 3, 1950, to Betty (Kromm) and Leo Hoder in Aberdeen, Washington. He was admired as the sweetest of little boys.

As a late teen, he decided after high school to skip college and join the work force. John excelled at a specialized trade — pool shark. He hustled for several years when he met by chance, Kathi Courcy, also of Aberdeen. After courting for six months, they were married on April 17, 1972.

He eventually applied for an adult job at the Grays Harbor PUD, where he started on the ground crew and then with his math mind, moved to the Meter Department. He specialized in self-taught math and science and was a genius with computers from early on. He self-taught all his special trades. He was an amazing sketch artist, learned to create stained glass masterpieces, including multiple L.C. Tiffany lamp shades that still adorn his home to this day, a master class carpenter, and an extraordinary nature photographer.

In later years, he and his friends and family made multiple pilgrimages every year to Yellowstone National Park where he would proudly stand for hours to just catch a glance of the Lamar Wolfpack or catch Rosie (Bear 399) at Tower with her cubs. His love of critters big and small did not naturally come from his ancestors. This was a love forced upon him by his young wife in the first years of marriage, during which time he found himself living communal with a skunk and pet rat. These relationships evolved into stray dogs and pet monkeys. It was not until after his daughter was born that he lost total control of the animal to human ratio in his home and a new world opened. By the time his daughter became an adult and wildlife rescuer, he found himself sleeping with deer and random crows, the turkey on the bedside chair and too many dogs to count. This was when his true passion for wildlife emerged and he brought his art to conservation through photography. He opened a gallery in Ocean Shores with several other artists and manned the gallery most days until he moved his art to Aberdeen and opened the Crow’s Foot Gallery in Aberdeen, associated with the Hoquiam Licensing Agency, an eclectic shop of art and entertainment with licensing and transportation services.

John’s final days will be remembered with the constant care and companionship of his best friend, Tom Bryant (Wife, Jeannie Bryant) and all the hours they spent working their photography. Kathi ever vigil at his side and his daughter who acted as home nurse when he was at his end days.

John will be remembered by the friendships he created and his ability to make even strangers feel like they were important in his world. He will be missed by all he encountered.

He is survived by his wife, Kathi de’Courcy Hoder; their daughter, Angela and her husband, Jason Messmer and his sister, Linda Hoder and husband Leo Koenig.

At John’s request, there will be no service. Should you wish to honor his life, toast a beer in his honor and think of him fondly. Alternately, you can donate to Angie’s wildlife nonprofit 501(c)3 which created so many wonderful animal relationships for him, including his beloved Rosebud, Thistle and Daisy. Donations can be sent to “Friends of Slim Pickens Wildlife Rescue” at 2943 East Hoquiam Road, Hoquiam, WA 98550.

Direction is by the Coleman Mortuary, 422 5th Street in Hoquiam, Washington.

Please take a few moments to record your thoughts for the family by signing the on line guest register at www.colemanmortuary.net.