Milton passed away on Aug. 31, 2023.

He arrived on his Mother’s birthday in Bloomington, Illinois on Oct. 3, 1935.

His family moved to Tucson, Arizona and then to Lake County, California, in 1952, his sophomore year in high school, where he met his future wife, Laura Covey at Clear Lake High School.

He was an avid hunter and fisherman and fell in love with Lake County.

After graduation, Milton attended Chapman College and Chico State College, he worked summers for the U.S Forest Service to help pay for his tuition.

Along the way he was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served two years in Germany as a staff sergeant, E6.

After the Army he went back to Chico State and earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in industrial arts. And, he married Laura Covey. He served two years active Army Reserve and two years inactive Army Reserve.

Milton moved to Maxwell, California with his newly arrived twin sons, Ross and Michael. He taught high school industrial arts and served on the Maxwell Service Club and the Colusa County Chamber of Commerce for six years.

When the boys were fourth graders they all moved back to Lake County and farmed for 30 years on the family farm.

Milton had many varied interests and hobbies, including restoring his model A, sailing boats and racing a Hobie Cat named Double Trouble with his family. He sang barbershop, taught 4-H and served on the Lakeport School Board.

He enjoyed building and shooting muzzleloading guns and going to rendezvous, pheasant hunting with his two German shorthairs Bo and Ticker, and trap shooting.

He was a Farm Bureau Board member and belonged to the Konocti Rod and Gun Club, Lake County Trap Club and was a lifetime NRA member.

Milton proudly served with the Lake County Military Funeral Honors Team and helped support veteran and military support groups like Operation Tango Mike. At one time, he was named Lake County Veteran of the Year.

Milton is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Laura; son, Michael; Ross’ wife, Lynn Hodgkinson; granddaughter, Barbara (Jordan) Waggoner and their baby girl, Addison.

He is predeceased by his son, Ross; brother, Read Hodgkinson; and his parents, George Read and Rachel Hanson Hodgkinson.

Happy hunting Dad! Love ya and know that you will be missed.

Graveside service will be held at Hartley Cemetery, Veteran’s Circle on Saturday, Sept. 16, at 10:30 a.m. followed by a remembrance at Milton and Laura's home.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Lake County Military Funeral Honors Team, P.O. Box 1365, Kelseyville, CA 95451 and Operation Tango Mike, 5216 Piner Court, Kelseyville, CA 95451.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.