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Submitted: 12/3/17 • Approved: 12/6/17 • Last Updated: 5/28/20 • R141153-G141153-S3
Eugene Roy Hodge
GUNNER US Air Force
World War II
October 18, 1925 - July 8, 2012
Obit:
Eugene Roy (Buddy) Hodge, 86, of Texarkana, Arkansas, died Sunday, July 8, 2012, after a brief illness.
He was born October 18, 1925, in Mineral Springs, Arkansas.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 61 years, Nancy Hodge; a granddaughter, Holly McDougal; a son-in-law, Buddy Williams; and his parents, Roy and Anita Hodge.
However, he is best known as a United States Air Force veteran of World War II. He was a gunner on a B-24 and was shot down with his crew over Czechoslovakia where he was later captured and taken as a POW by the Germans. This event inspired him to chronicle his life growing up in Texarkana and his experiences during the war as a young soldier and a POW. It was also a testament to his life as a loving husband and father. The book was preceded by years of interaction with his crew members and those Czechoslovakians who risked their lives to save him. He always gave credit to his devoted wife Nancy, however, for encouraging him to go and accompanied him on several trips to Europe, eventually going back to the very people who helped him hide from the Nazis. On one trip back with his son to attend a special celebration day, he was shocked and humbled to find out the event was to honor him. He was also shocked and surprised at the success of his book and the orders that came in from all over Europe, as well as the U.S. Because of it, as well, he was sought out to speak at numerous distinguished events from his own Rotary Club to several high school events to the 10 year anniversary of 9/11 at Texas A & M Texarkana Campus.
As much as he enjoyed the success and visiting with people about his experiences, the two things that meant the most to him were his faith and his family. He spent the last 10 years of his life being the devoted caregiver for his "beautiful wife" until her death. However, during those years at home, he used it to talk to old friends about his experiences and to witness to them over the phone. Any time you walked into his home he could be talking to a friend around the corner, or one in California, or perhaps one in Czechoslovakia. When not doing that, he and Nancy could be found listening to Gaither concerts, reading the Bible, or watching the Rangers play ball.
He was a God fearing man, a loyal friend, a true gentleman, and a courageous war veteran. He was also a good son, brother, husband, father, cousin, uncle, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He will be sorely missed as one of the last of the "Great Generation" and a man with a heart of gold who above all else loved his Lord and Savior.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, July 12, 2012, at Texarkana Funeral Home Chapel, Texas, with the Rev. Craig Jenkins officiating. Burial will be in Hillcrest Memorial Park.
Source: Texarkana Funeral Home, Texas
Nancy
August 5, 1927 - March 13, 2011
Contributed on 12/3/17 by MryAl8
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Record #: 141153