Dean R. Hodson, our beloved father, grandfather and husband, passed away unexpectedly on April 8, 2025, with his lovely second wife, Julie, at his side. He returns home to many loved ones who have passed on before, including his lifelong companion and eternal sweetheart, “Pamcakes.” We know their reunion was one of great celebration and joy.

Dean was born October 13th, 1942 in Ogden, Utah to Allen Hodson and Lavora Mary Rawlins. He was a middle child and often felt like he had to try harder to be seen but his way of standing out was by always trying to do what was right. His mother wrote that Dean never gave her any trouble and that he always treated both his parents with respect and love. He graduated from Davis High School and went on to serve an LDS mission in the Eastern States Mission in New York, October of 1961 and then on to Utah State University where he started his college education.

Dean loved his friends and enjoyed having a good time with them but he was committed to keeping the commandments and covenants of the church. Dean was preparing himself for what he called “the most significant event in my life,” the day he met Pam Sonntag during his junior year of college. He was forever grateful to one of his closest friends for asking Pam out on a date and inviting him along. Pam and Dean were married in the Salt Lake Temple June 9, 1966, two years before Dean graduated from the University of Utah with a Masters Degree in Geography in 1968. Shortly thereafter, his young family including, two toddlers, traveled across the country, in a red Mustang convertible, to Michigan State University where he earned his PhD.

Dean’s growing family then moved to Texas and onto Louisiana where he taught college Geography before they decided to move home to Salt Lake City where he went into his wife’s father’s jewelry business, Philip & Co.

Dean and Pam raised eight children in the shadows of the Wasatch. He loved to fish in the mountain lakes and rivers, camp with his boys, take drives with Pam and spend time with his girls and looked forward to their weekly lunch dates. His daughters looked up to him, leaned on him, took their joys and heartaches to him. Dean was a wonderful father and will be greatly missed by his children and grandchildren but especially his girls.

Over the years, Dean served in numerous church callings, including Bishoprics, Bishop, Stake Presidencies and the Inner City Mission President with his wife. However, his favorite years serving the church were with Pam and his two youngest daughters, Marianne and Megan in Melbourne, Australia where he served as Mission President. Together, both he and Pam created lasting relationships with their missionaries and were considered spiritual giants. Dean, known far and wide for his giant bear hugs and encouraging words leaves a tender spot in many hearts.

Concluding his last testimony to his missionaries, Dean said, “I love you, I love you. Thank you for being who you are. Thank you for being missionaries. Keep the faith, keep the faith.” We all hear your message Dean. We have all felt your loving embrace and we listen to your words.

Dean is survived by his wife, Julie Oyler Hodson, his children Michael (Sharon) Hodson, Matthew (Rachael) Hodson, Mark (Jodi) Hodson, Melissa (Eric) Butikofer, Michelle (Blake) Poulton, Marci Bradley, Marianne (Ben) Feinauer, Megan (Greg) Davis, 23 grandchildren, 1 great granddaughter, brother Jerry (Anna) Hodson and sister Colleen Hodson Frost.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the Church of Jesus Christ Missionary Fund.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 11:00am, at the Cottonwood Creek 3rd Ward building, located at 1535 East Creek Road, Cottonwood Heights, Utah 84093. A viewing will be held Friday, April 18, 2025 at Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary, 2350 East 1300 South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84108 from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Another viewing will be held on Saturday, April 19, 2025 at the church building prior to the funeral service from 9:30 am - 10:30 am. Interment at Larkin Sunset Lawn Cemetery.

To attend the funeral service virtuarlly please visit www.larkinmortuary.com