Dr. Clare C Hodge Jr.

LEXINGTON – Visitation for Dr. Clare C. Hodge, Jr. will be held on Friday, April 1, 2016 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Lexington. Funeral services are scheduled at Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church at 12 noon on Saturday, April 2, followed by a private burial.

Dr. Hodge passed away on Tuesday, March 29, 2016. He was born on May 14, 1946 in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania to the late Dr. Clare C. and Margaret Hodge. He attended the University of South Carolina where he earned a B.A. in Psychology and Biology (1970), a M.A. in School Psychology (1973), and a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology (1981).

He was employed as a School Psychologist by Richland District One and accepted a position as Coordinator of Psychological Services in Lexington One in 1984. Dr. Hodge pioneered the statewide Parenting and Family Literacy initiative, writing the grant and administering the program that established the District as a statewide model. During his long career in education, Clare served in a number of additional administrative roles prior to his retirement.

Active in numerous professional and community organizations, Dr. Hodge’s service included Chairman of the Lexington County First Steps Board and membership in the South Carolina First Steps Community Advisory Board, Midlands Human Services Council, the United Way Success by Six and Literacy Advisory Boards among others.

He was a member of the Rotary Club of Lexington, where he served on the Board of Directors, earned multiple Paul Harris Fellows, and recently became a member of the Paul Harris Society. Clare also served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1970 to 1976.

Always a sports enthusiast, Clare played soccer for the University of South Carolina. Over the years he remained active in the sport, officiating at the high school, college and professional levels. He served as President of the South Carolina Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association from 1993-1999. An avid tennis player, he participated in USTA competition at the local, state, and national levels.

Dr. Hodge is survived by: his wife Carol Lynn of Lexington; his son, Major Clare C. “Chip” Hodge, III, of Fredericksburg, VA, (Allyson); and grandchildren, Cole, Ryder, Lenox, Hampton, and Stone Hodge.