Kenneth Dixon Hodges

HODGES, KENNETH DIXON

1948-2021

On May 17, 2021, Kenneth Dixon Hodges died unexpectedly.  He was 72.

Ken Hodges was born on October 21, 1948, in Athens, Georgia.  He was the second child of five children of Florie Hardeman and Thomas Dixon Hodges.  He graduated from Athens High School in 1966 and entered the University of Georgia where he joined the Army ROTC.  In 1970 he graduated from UGA with a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Accounting and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army.

He attended Officer’s Transportation School at Fort Eustis, Virginia for nine weeks then to Fort Knox, Kentucky for Motor Officer School for another nine-week period. He was next transferred to Fort Gordon, Georgia for six months before he received orders to go to Vietnam.

In Vietnam he was assigned to the 57th Transportation Battalion as a platoon leader in the 363rd Transportation Company known as the Road Runners.  He commanded a convoy that transported supplies, mostly ammunition and food, from Danang to the frontline in Phu Bai, Vietnam.  The 120-mile round trip ran through the dangerous Hivan Pass where they often encountered Rocket Propelled Grenades.

For his service from 1970-1972, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal.  The State of Georgia awarded him with the Certificate of Honor for his Vietnam service.  He was discharged, with honor, in 1972 holding the rank of First Lieutenant; later receiving a promotion to the rank of Captain.

After his military service he returned to the University of Georgia and, in 1972, earned a Master of Education Degree in the field of Business Education.  He worked for many years in the banking field, was proprietor of Hodges Bar-B-Q Catering and Hodges Lawn Service, and as a sales representative with Hillman before retiring.

He was active in the Winterville community as a member of the Winterville Lions Club, served on the Winterville City Council, was a member of the American Legion Post 20 and was a member of Winterville United Methodist Church, where he served on the Administrative Board, the Governance Board and as Treasurer.  For his civic, volunteer service he was dubbed, by a prominent politician as “Ambassador of Winterville.”

He is survived by his wife of ten years, Carol Jeanette Hughes Hodges, his son, Kenneth Jay Hodges (Thérèse), three grandchildren, Samuel Dixon Hodges, AbneyMarie Thérèse Hodges and Marley Jane Hodges; siblings, Judy Hodges Aldridge (Dan) and James Hardeman Hodges (Becky) and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.  In addition to his parents he was predeceased by a sister, Joy Hodges, and brother, Michael Thomas Hodges.

Family visitation will be Thursday, May 20, 2021 from 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m., immediately followed by a service, all at Lord & Stephens East, Lexington Road, Athens, Georgia.  Reverend Tac Coley will be officiating the service.  There will be a private, family graveside service at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Winterville Cemetery Perpetual Care, Inc., P.O. Box 158, Winterville, GA 30683 or to a charity of your choice.

Lord and Stephens, East is in charge of arrangements.

www.lordandstephens.com