Joel Frederick Cudney

Joel Frederick Cudney
March 13, 1925 to December 26, 2021

Joel Frederick Cudney was born in Eureka on March 13, 1925 to Elmer and Bertha Cudney of Fort Seward. There he was raised and went to local schools until the age of 16, when he went to work in defense work in the Manganese Mines, which was in demand at that time.

Joel worked until called into the military service on March 30, 1944 in World War II. After a short training at Fort Riley, Kansas he was sent to Europe aboard a troop ship. Joel landed in Le Havre France 9 days later and went into combat with General Patton’s 3rd army as a heavy mortar crewman. After the war Joel was sent on his second tour of duty to the Philippine Islands for more training for the big invasion, but the war ended at that time. Joel remained on the islands until his discharge.

Joel returned to his hometown of Fort Seward, and went to work as a timber faller, then later as a cement finisher. He was a true country boy, where he enjoyed hiking, fishing and was a great deer hunter.

Joel met Mary Ethel Combs in 1951 and they were married a year later in St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Arcata on June 16, 1952. They later moved to Eureka and started their family of nine children — six boys and three girls. Joel continued in construction work for several years for Ernest Pierson Company, then later, because of work shortage, he went to work for Louisiana Pacific Corp. as a gardener and groundskeeper for 13 years. The last three years of his retirement was at Eureka’s famous Ingomar Club.

Joel passed away peacefully in the early morning hours on December 26, 2021 surrounded by family.