Mr. Earl Mark Hudson, a member of a long-time farming family in the Sanger area, died suddenly August 27 after suffering a heart attack. He was 68.

Earl was born in Sanger on August 24, 1954, the middle son of Earl Russell and Augustine Hudson. He grew up on the family farm south of Sanger and attended Lincoln Elementary and Sanger High School, where he graduated in 1972.  He continued his education at Reedley College, majoring in agriculture. Earl began working at Ballantine Packing in 1973 and then at Barr Packing Co, where he worked for several years , eventually becoming farm manager of the company-owned farms in the Sanger, Parlier and Visalia areas. He also worked in ag chemical sales and as a field man for Wawona Frozen Foods during the peach harvest. In addition, Earl began farming tree fruit on his own in the late-1970s, and together with wife, Elizabeth, they built what eventually became Hudson Farms, growing freezer peaches, fresh market plums and nectarines, and almonds in the Sanger and Del Rey areas. During harvest, the Hudsons operate a farm stand, which sells its fruit and vegetables directly to consumers. Hudson Farms Fruit Stand began in the summer of 2011.

In 1981, Earl married Elizabeth "Liz" Halemeier of Fresno. In 1986, daughter Charlotte Elizabeth was born, followed by son Earl Rodger in 1988. In 2011, the family grew when Rodger married Emilee Henson of Sanger, and in 2016, when Charlotte married Samuel Huckabay of Sanger.

Earl was elected to the Consolidated Irrigation District Board of Directors in 2014, and currently served as president of the Board. He also represented CID on the Kings River Water Association Board of Directors. Earl was also a member of the Las Palmas Masonic Lodge, Fresno Scottish Rite and Tehran Shrine. He also was a member of the Sanger Eagles Lodge, National Peach Council, Fresno County Farm Bureau, Sanger Chamber of Commerce, and life member of the National Rifle Association. Likewise, Earl and his family have been long-time supporters of several Sanger school programs, such as PTA and the Future Farmers of America. Earl and Liz were named Sanger's Mr. and Mrs. Farmer in 2009 by the Sanger Chamber of Commerce.

Earl was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and friend. He was a master in the kitchen, often cooking or barbecuing for several community events, fundraisers, and family parties. He was a loyal and loving friend to many, and known for helping others unconditionally, sharing his special humor over a glass of wine, and for his strong conservative values.

Earl is survived by his wife, Liz, Daughter Charlotte and her husband Sam Huckabay, son Rodger and his wife Emilee, granddaughters Sadie and Clare Huckabay, brothers Jack and his wife Sheila, and Bob and his wife Jennifer, all of Sanger; sister- and brother-in-law Christine and Paul Raymond of Irvine, aunt Charlotte Pearson of San Diego, and several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. Earl was preceded in death by his parents Russell and Augie Hudson, Grandparents Earl and Ila Hudson and August and Anna Heinz; and in-laws Walter and Doris Halemeier.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday, Sept. 2 at noon at the Hudson Family Farm.  A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 7 at 10 a.m. at Sanger Cemetery under the direction of Wallin's Sanger Funeral Home.  Memorial contributions can be made to Shriner's Hospitals for Children in Sacramento (www.shrinerschildrenshospital.org), or donor's favorite charity.