Raymond L. Hodge

Raymond L. Hodge of Arnold, MO passed away on Mon., April 9, 2012. Beloved husband of Dorothy “Dottie” Crandall Hodge (nee Thurman) and the late Nancy Hodge (nee Hadley). Loving father of Richard (Nancy) Hodge and Randolph (Shelley) Hodge and step dad of Rebecca (Alan) Thompson, John (Margaret) Crandall and N. Renee (David) Witte. Dearest grandfather of Garrick (Angela Jackson) Hodge, Ryan Hodge, Kelly Hodge, Brett Hodge and Kathryn Hodge and step grandfather of Haley Robert, Paris Robert, Samuel Crandall, Clarissa Crandall, Chloe Crandall and Hayden Crandall. Dear brother of the late Glenna Hodge, William Hodge, Ivan "Mike" Hodge, James Hodge and Robert Hodge. Our dear brother-in-law, uncle, great uncle, cousin and dear friend.

"In everything you do - always do your best" - Ray and Nancy Hodge

Raymond Lee Hodge

AB Education - Harris Teacher's College

MS Ed. - Central Missouri State University - Elementary Administration

Additional Study: Washington University - Secondary Administration, Superintendents

Arkansas State University

Ray Hodge served the parents and young people in the field of education for thirty five years.

First as a teacher in the St. Louis Public Schools. Then he came to the C-6 School District when Fox High School was just beginning and served as a teacher and a head coach for four years. For the next thirty years he served the district as principal of Meramec Heights Elementary School.

He was an innovator and pioneer in new ideas and techniques in the district.

He had a vision - he could see when programs were needed, and he would work to meet those needs.

In the early 1960's he was the first elementary principal in Jefferson County to work into a program of "mainstreaming" for educational challenged individuals - often called inclusion today.

His school and staff were the leaders in the development of a non-graded primary program which worked well for them for several years.

Under his leadership, the first gifted program for the district was established at his school. He and his staff members put together a program that would later form the basis for the C-6 District Challenge Program.

He always promoted a staff that was active on many of the school district committees.

He served eleven consecutive terms on the executive committee of the Missouri Association of Elementary School Principals.

He served as a group discussion leader at many of their state workshops.

He was selected by the National Association of Elementary School Principals to lead a group meeting at a national convention.

He served two terms as a board member of the Southeast District Teachers Association.

He served as president on four different occasions of the Jefferson County Elementary Principals Association.

He was the spearhead of a community fund raising drive to put the lights on the Fox High School football field.

He initiated a fund raising effort to put the first electric scoreboard on the Fox High School football field.

He gave of his time for many years, as he operated the clock and scoreboard at all of the varsity football games.

The very first press box at the Fox High School football field was constructed by Mr. Hodge and members of his service club.

He brought a group of interested dads together and constructed the original dugouts on the baseball field.

The first fence around the Fox High baseball field was purchased by Ray Hodge and put up by a number of dads, board members and the superintendent of schools.

Participation of the C-6 District and North Jefferson County in the South County YMCA was the result of direct efforts of Mr. Hodge and three families from his school P.T.A.

He used his skills to help get the young Arnold Khoury League program off the ground and become established.

He helped make arrangements to secure the ground where the Arnold Athletic Association is located.

With several other men to assist him, they formed the Arnold American Legion Baseball Program for Fox High School and other high school boys in the district.

Many young people have been able to further their education because of his work in the various programs.

In 1993, Ray Hodge was elected to the St. Louis Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame.

He is a past president of his Rotary Club, and has served as the executive secretary for many years.

In his church, Ray Hodge has served his congregation as lay leader for many three year terms. He has served as the lay member to the annual conference of the church body for many years. He has served as the chairperson of many committees, and a member of all the committees.

In the late 1960's and early 70's, he was a scout for the San Diego Padres Major League Baseball Club.

In 1999, Ray and his wife, Nancy, were selected as Grand Marshalls of the Arnold Days Parade.

He was a sponsor of many teams in many types of leagues.

He was a sponsor of the Arnold American Legion Baseball Program for twenty years. He was manager or coach for fifteen years.

He was a member of the following organizations:

National Association of Elementary School Principals

Missouri Association of Elementary School Principals

Missouri State Teachers Association

Missouri Retired Teachers Association

Jefferson County Retired Teachers Association

Past President Arnold Rotary Club

Past President Arnold Kiwanis Club

Arnold Lodge 673 A.F. & A.M.

Scottish Rite

Moolah Temple

Life Member American Legion Post 777

Charter Member of the St. Louis Amateur Baseball Association - Treasurer the first five years

Member of the St. Louis Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame

The Ray & Nancy Hodge Elementary School in the Fox C-6 School District is named for Ray and his wife Nancy.

Longtime member of New Hope United Methodist Church and choir member of 30 years.

Married to Nancy Jean Hodge (nee Hadley) from 1953 until her passing in 2001. Married to Dorothy Crandall Hodge (nee Thurman) from 2006 until present.

Visitation to be held at Heiligtag-Lang-Fendler Funeral Home, 1081 Jeffco Blvd., Arnold, MO on Thurs., April 12 from 4 to 8 p.m. then moved to New Hope United Methodist Church, 3921 Jeffco Blvd., Arnold where he will be instate on Fri., April 13 from 10 a.m. until time of service at 11 a.m. Interment Shepherd Hills Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions to New Hope United Methodist Church appreciated. Condolences may be offered at www.heiligtagfuneralhome.com.