Mr. Butler Ragland Hodges

Butler Ragland Hodges, born March 2, 1950, died July 7th, 2014 at the age of 64. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and a surrogate father to countless relatives and community kids who always looked up to ‘Coach’ or ‘Uncle Rag’ for advice. His life was lived fully with many adventures along the way. The third youngest of 10 brothers and sisters, at age 18 he joined the Army to help support his aging mother and father. He was almost immediately sent to Vietnam, serving with distinction and receiving the bronze star. He would ultimately serve in Desert Storm as well as Vietnam, making him one of the few men to serve in both, and retire from the National Guard after 20 years. After Vietnam, he started a family and landed a job at Dunlop Tire Company where he would work for many years, but would subsequently retire from the Boeing Company with 21 years of service. He always worked hard and instilled that work ethic in his children; however his ‘career’ was always a means to an end. His real joy and passion came from his family. Whether it was coaching his kid’s ball teams or picking music with his brothers and sisters or heading out with his wife to pull slots in Tunica, family always came first. He was never afraid to take a risk as well. Over his life, he owned or helped run 2 service stations, a barbeque pit, went to nursing school as part of his military service and played at writing and recording songs. He was asked to perform a song he wrote for the troops returning from Desert Storm at a ‘Welcome Home’ ceremony in Bangor, Maine.He never met a stranger and there was literally nothing he couldn’t do or was afraid to try. He was a decent, kind, giving, loving, humble man and it was a privilege for anyone who was lucky enough to know him. He will be truly missed and is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Patricia, his sons Jonathan (Leslie) Hodges, and Jeremey (Jennifer) Hodges; 3 brothers, Alonzo “Tea”, Randy, and Jack Hodges; 1 sister, Barbara Webster, and 3 grandchildren; Emily, Katie, and Gabe.