Kenneth "Cody" Hodawanus

Type of Donation:       organs, tissue and corneas

Age and Location:      Age 25 - Norco, CA

Donation Date:           7/22/2017

Sponsor:                      Honored by OneLegacy

KENNETH’S STORY

Kenneth "Cody" Hodawanus was born on Friday the 13th, September 1991… one of the luckiest days of his parents' life. The second only being the birth of his sister, on New Year's Day in 1990, who was more of a best friend than a big sister. Because of this, the Rose Parade has always played a special part in Cody's life.

Known for his boisterous laugh and awesome smile, you would never guess the struggles he faced on a daily basis. Being diagnosed early on with dyslexia and auditory processing disorders, school was always challenging for him. While reading and writing were extremely difficult, his family soon found that his mechanical and carpentry skills were exemplary. Teachers were found that understood this and encouraged his talents where he excelled. "As an example of his skills," his mother Tricia recalls, "at the young age of seven, he decided to take apart the motor of our vacuum and reassemble it just to see if he could… and he did!" In high school, Cody spent 2 years building the most beautiful grandfather clock as a gift to his beloved mother. His senior year, the clock won the sweepstakes award at the Riverside County Industrial Education Expo. With the continued encouragement of his mother and sister, Cody attended Riverside City College to pursue his education in automotive technology and welding.

These areas also led him to his passion for racing. Cody developed relationships with various race teams, and spent weekends supporting Porsche racecars, trophy trucks and local off-road races. These hobbies sustained him during the time where the love of his life, Mary, was in Japan teaching after graduating college. At the young age of 25, Cody tragically lost his life in a motorcycle accident only four days before Mary was to return home from Japan to begin their life together.

Although discovering that he had chosen to become an organ donor was a surprise to his family, Cody's example of generosity to strangers has inspired them to become donors as well. Tricia states, "It reinforced what a special young man we were blessed to have loved and would be grateful to honor him this way."