Charles W. LT. Colonel Hodgson

USAF (Ret)

February 21, 1921 - July 30, 2015

Lieutenant Colonel Charles W. Hodgson, USAF (Ret), passed away July 30, 2015, in San Antonio, TX, at the age of 94. Born and raised on the family farm near Little River, KS, his life reflected his love of, and service to, his God, his family, and his country.

He left Kansas State College in Manhattan, KS in early 1941, before finishing his third year, to join the Army Air Corps. He earned his wings, and served as a Flight Instructor for the remainder of WW II. He flew combat missions in both Korea and Vietnam, and retired after nearly 28 years of service, in June 1969.

Charlie returned to school, finishing his BA and earning his MBA in Economics from St. Mary's University in San Antonio. He worked for the Alamo Council of Governments for several years, before leaving that organization to devote more volunteer time assisting the elderly via the AARP Tax Assistance program. He continued with this commitment until he decided (on his own) that he should no longer be driving to and from appointments around the city.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles M. and Nellie (Champe) Hodgson; his four siblings Russell, Annabelle (Annie), Irvin, and Patience (Pat); and his wife Dorothy (Gucker) Hodgson. Charlie and Dotty raised three children while stationed in Japan, Brazil and numerous locations in the U.S. Charlie is survived by his children: David A. Hodgson (Mary Ellen) of Mount Vernon, WA; Diane Hodgson Trunek (Bob) of Bellingham, WA; and Cathy Hodgson Trunek (John) of Gloucester, MA.

His children were able to get to San Antonio to bid him farewell, singing songs and hymns at his bedside, songs they learned from their mother Dotty during frequent car trips to and from Kansas as they were growing up. Charlie and Dotty traveled to Africa with their daughter, celebrated their 50th anniversary on a family cruise to Alaska and made other trips to Europe and the Philippines. He lost his sweetheart to cancer in 1996, then battled his own fight with the disease. Nearing 80 yrs old, he fell in love with a widow neighbor and they became a "couple" in Air Force Village II (now known as Blue Skies of Texas, West) making their own travel excursions from San Antonio to Canada and the U.S. Northwest and other areas around the country.

For almost twenty years Charlie walked miles every day around the property of Air Force Village II. In the morning, late in the afternoon, sometimes in the wee hours of dawn, he could be seen pounding the pavement. Even when a walker was necessary to keep him balanced, he continued his daily exercise. It made him happy to get out and walk. He was a very congenial guy. Everybody loved Charlie. His children, his nieces and nephews, the residents and staff at Blue Skies, the nurses at Christus Santa Rosa Hospital, the physical therapists at The Mission rehabilitation center -- anyone who ever met Charlie, loved Charlie.

He had a smile and a twinkle in his eye for everyone. His life was one of basic kindness, caring and generosity for every human being with whom he shared this beautiful planet. Charlie left a legacy of positive influence on the countless people he met on his journey.