Garth Ian Sherwood Hudson
‘Keeper of the Garden’
Aka Mr. Garth Culti-Vader
May 17, 1978,  Salinas, California
February 14, 2024, Eureka, California.

Garth passed away from sudden cardiac arrest on Feb 14, 2024 in Eureka.

Garth was born at Natividad Hospital Salinas and grew up on the Monterey Peninsula.

He attended Robert Down Elementary School, Pacific Grove Middle School then Carmel Middle School, graduating from Carmel High School in 1997.

Garth held various jobs over the years, but music and creating his lyrics were his passion. This was where he dedicated most of his time. Garth became interested in rapping and hip hop from an early age. It was his therapy and the way he shared his thoughts. “Pen & Ink are my own personal shrink,” was his slogan.

Garth always used music and lyrics as his avenue for communicating his thoughts and feelings, having his first song produced and played on a local Monterey radio station while he was in junior high. Later on, Garth made soundtracks for several extreme sport videos including “Slednecks” and “Urban Street Bike Warriors,” as well as being featured in the movie ‘Sea of Green’.

Garth moved to Humboldt County soon after graduation and immediately became involved in the local hip hop underground movement that was beginning to take shape in the mid-1990s, initially joining an up-and-coming group of musicians and MC’s called the Humboldt County Freestyle Kings. Garth went on to create music and perform with an impressive and extensive list of performers and musicians over the years — too many to list here, but they know who they are.

Garth has produced and released several full albums and singles over the years which are currently available through most streaming music platforms. In his performing/music world - Garth was first known as “Mac G.” In his late teens was “Hurricane Hudson” and then “Garth Vader,” and finally becoming Mr. Garth Culti-Vader. Garth’s name literally means “Keeper of the Garden.”

There have also been a couple great articles written about Garth as his music career has developed over the years you can view here:

North Coast Journal, Feb. 14, 2008

North Coast Journal, Sept. 9, 2007

While Garth created music for himself, it turned out there were others that connected and appreciated his writing because they related and felt many of the same feelings.

The ability to recognize when someone, or some animal, needed comforting was a very special gift Garth had. He had a way of making sure if someone felt alone — they knew he was there as a friend and that they mattered.

He was an avid nature enthusiast — agate hunter, lizard catcher, frog & tadpole sleuth — as well as a creative snowcone-maker and cook. He was a digital dragon creator, airbrush fan and relentless gardener. He was inquisitive, articulate and funny with a strong sense of social justice.

Around 2013, Garth moved to Klamath Falls, Oregon where he continued to make his music, garden and spend time with his family. More recently he was most excited about creating a garden space for the community and to spend time with his children in the “secret garden.” In September 2023 he returned to Humboldt County to dodge the Oregon winter and be with “his people” with plans to return in the spring to finish developing the community garden.

Garth is survived by: His mother Barbara Hudson, Sister Sequoyah Hudson (Ronnie Franklin), Children: Taurean Ian Nisbet-Hudson and Luana Joy Hudson, Nieces Krystal Fortman (Daughter Lola), Vanisty White, Kyra Franklin and Nephew Ronnie Franklin Jr, and cousins Brandon Hudson (Patrick, Joseph & Benjamin), Kim LaBruno, Ruby Strange and Chris Strange and many Chicago-area cousins & relatives.

There will be a celebration of life for Garth on Taco Tuesday,  4 p.m.-10 p.m., on March 19, 2024 at the Humboldt Bay Social Club, 900 New Navy Base Rd Samoa, Ca. 95564. Please bring a lawn chair or something to sit on and GOOD VIBES.

Humboldt Cremation and Funeral Services are managing all final arrangements.

In lieu of flowers or cards, the family suggests you make a contribution in Garth’s name to Humboldt Hip Hop Congress or Hip Hop For Hope (Both DreamMaker projects of The INK People Non-Profit) or a group in your area that supports hip hop for youth. Please also plant a flower in your own garden to remind yourself that you are loved, needed and that you matter.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Garth Hudson’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.