Bryan and I became friends because we both belonged to the High Desert Trail Riders BCH.  After Jean passed away we rode together occasionally and he helped me pick out a new horse after my horse Cody got too old to ride.  In the end I bought his last horse Suzi Q and I still have her. When ever I ride her I think of Bryan.    Missed the daily phone calls while he was here and we kept in touch after he went to Texas. I was so sad hearing of his passing as were many of our club members.  He was a heck of a guy and loved working with horses.

Bryan and I first met on Camile Ave in Alamo. He was riding his horse up the road and I stopped and asked him where there was to ride around he. I had just moved into the neighborhood. He told me in the hills above and he also told me about the San Ramon Valley Horsemans Association. We rode together in the Las Trampas park behind us. Later I joined the horse club. Brian and I rode many miles together over my years. I learned a lot from him and shared many experiences with him. Years later he and Jean moved to Keno which is west of Klamath Falls, Oregon. Years pior I had bought a Ranch East of Klamath Falls, so we became neighbors again. He was a good,honest,sincere man, but sometimes tough, friend for about 50 years or more. I will surely miss him. I also was friends of the family. I feel for their Loss. My prayers and thoughts are with you at this time and always.                                           Love and sincerity,       Cody Robert Hoffman   High Serenity Ranch

We were so sorry to hear of your fathers death.  Received the email news when we returned from our summer home in Alpine, AZ Sep 22.  Bryan and I were grade school buddies in Lowelll,  AZ school.  We have ridden miles together on our bicycles, played sports, skated and hung out together as best friends the last several years we attended grade school.  Your father left the Bisbee area following 8th grade graduation and I didn't see him until several years later when he returned.  I believe it was later when he was discharged from the Navy.  I remember him courting your mother and then attending the university in Las Cruces.  He and I have shared photographs of our school days and him at my parents home over the years.  We had girl friends in the 8th grade and I cherish the fond memories we shared.  We have talked several times the past few years when your parents were in Oregon and since your mothers passing.  Most recently when he was in Texas.  Your decision to remove the ventilator was the right thing to do.  I have indicated that is what I also want if my family has to make that decision.  Vi and I extend our heartfelt sympathy to you two girls and your families.  Vi and Chuck Maxwell

Bryan, Charisse and Chris were my family for a long time.  Living in Texas with my family so far away was bearable because they took me in and made me feel loved.  Bryan acted so much like My grandfather that he put my own to shame.  He was the first honest to God cowboy I had ever met and I was inspired by his adventures and pictures from his past.  It made me so happy to see some of those pictures on this memorial today.  I remember looking at some of the same photos with him on his computer and hearing the stories that went along with them.  I'll miss Bryan immensely, but will continue to be grateful for the opportunity to meet him.

Remembering Bryan

On my first San Ramon Valley Horsemen's Association trail ride in 1973, I met Bryan Hodges. Bryan took me under his wing and helped me become an active member. Bryan was my oldest California riding buddy. He and I rode a lot of miles together and had a lot of fun. Sad to know that he is gone now.

The 1970's and 1980's were the high point of trail riding in the Bay Area. Bryan asked me to be Trail Boss of the club. That just gave me more reason to ride more and the joy of showing beautiful trails to other riders. 

We rode so many places: Las Trampas Regional Park (which Bryan knew better than anyone else), Point Reyes, the Sierras, the Seven Day Ride around the Bay Area, SRVHA's Breakfast and Dinner rides. I'm glad we rode the marked trails and have fond memories of exploring unmarked trails, that some would not call trails. 

With Bryan as drag rider, I led 99 riders up Mt. Diablo to Barbecue Terrace for breakfast. Together, we colluded to open up the blocked trail over the Baum's property in White Gate. That led to a lawsuit that the park won and opened that trail.

Bryan organized week long Sierra Trail Rides. He hired great cooks and guides. That was riding at its best. He was also the driving force in putting on the Pony Express Rely Race in 1976. 

When Jean was sick, Bryan took off a couple of hours to meet Charlotte and me for lunch when we passed through Klamath Falls. It was obvious that he was doing his best to take care of Jean. I was glad that Bryan made it down to the horse club reunion in 2005. He enjoyed seeing us old farts so much. We certainly enjoyed seeing him. I bet he drove straight down and then straight back to Jean. Bryan and Jean were a great couple.

A few years back, I visited Bryan in Klamath Falls and we went to the Backcountry Horsemen's Rendezvous which Bryan help organize. A year after that, Bryan called me and asked, "Were you serious?" I answered, "Yes, about what?" Bryan replied, "About riding down the Grand Canyon!." Well, I was and we did. It was his last big ride and I'm glad we went. We both enjoyed it thoroughly. He was 81.

If I had to do it all over again, I would have ridden more with Bryan. As it was, we had a lot of fun and created a lot of good memories together.

-Bob Cooper aka Coop

Bryan was my big brother.  Although we were not raised together we were still brother and sister.  He was near grown when I came along.  I always looked up to him and even though we never lived close to each other we always kept in touch with each other.  I felt such a loss the day Bryan died.  Such sadness!  I shall miss you everyday Bryan.  Until we meet again!  Love you always...your sister Marsha

Brian was a great friend and companion on the trail.  We still have a beautiful Australian saddle we bought from him, and I think of him every time I look at it:)

Sorry to hear about Bryan's passing.  He was a good friend.  He rode with us on many roundups, and was with us years ago in the fight to keep cattle grazing on Mt. Diablo.  We all enjoyed him at the SHRVA rides and events at the ranch.  We didn't see him as much after he and Jean moved to Oregon, but we stayed in touch.  My condolences to his family,  he will be missed.

Tom Brumleve and family, Diablo Ranch

Bryan was my big brother on our trail rides with San Ramon Valley Horseman Assoc. Thanks to Bryan, I was able to go on several day trail rides in San Francisco Park and beach, Mt. Diablo, Las Trampas ridge as well as weeklong group camp outs in California's High Sierras thus fulfilling my dreams. We survived forest fires, heavy rain falls, steep mountain climbs, Mildred striking the campfires, lol, rattlesnakes under the bed roll. Many fond lasting memories were created for me thanks to Bryan. I loved him and will truly miss him. God Bless Bryan.  Thank you for my memories!

Bryan was born in Douglas, Arizona on 16 MAR 1930.
His birth name was Bryan Houston Burns.  John Edward Hodges adopted Bryan while married to his mother, Etta Dee Akin Burns.  Etta was born in Carlsbad, NM on 28 NOV 1913.  She died on 9 OCT 1980 in Oroville Butte, California.  His father was Alva Jesse Burns, born about 1911 in Texas.  Bryan was seven years old when adopted.   John and Etta were married in Bisbee, Cochise, AZ in 1937.
Bryan grew up in Bisbee and attended Lowell Elementary school.  In 1946 John Edward married Edna Louise Smith, the mother to Bryan's half sister Marsha L. Hodges.  Marsha still lives in Tombstone, AZ or that vicinity.  Edna died in Tucson, AZ in 1964.
Bryan was always as good as his word.  With his level of integrity no contract could be more secure than Bryan's handshake.  His loyalty is demonstrated by his faithfulness to his wife of 53 years, Jean Marlene Bohlen Hodges, who was born in Arizona in 1935 and died in Klamath Falls, Oregon in 2005.  Jean and Bryan were married in 1953 and had two daughters Vicky, and Charisse.  Both girls were born in the mid-fifties.
Bryan was honest to the core and dependable in everything he set out to do.  His helpful nature showed up in his everyday lifestyle.  I never heard him speak an unkind word about anyone.  He was very non-judgmental.  He was intelligent and articulate, always forthright and knowledgeable.  Bryan was sober and a really sweet man.
Eventually, when Bryan was nearing the end of his life, in 2012, he moved to Kyle, Texas to live with his younger daughter Charisse.  When Charisse's son Christopher moved home in 2014 Bryan moved in with his other daughter Vicky in New Braunfels, Texas and her husband Kirby Hoskinson.

Bryan was a great friend in the High Desert Trail Riders Back Country Horsemen organization in Klamath Falls.  We spent many hours together and loved both Bryan and Jean.  Such great people.  Glad he went peacefully and now is free of Earth's encumbrances. Our condolences to the rest of the family.
Dan and Betty Applebaker

Remembering Bryan
By Bob Cooper

On my first San Ramon Valley Horsemen

So So sorry to hear the sad news about your Father.
I am so glad that we were able to meet for lunch April 12th in Casa Grande.
Bryan was quite a man and friend from the 60's.
We were able to stay in touch through the years and I have and will always appreciate his guidance, advice and friendship. 
Thank you for letting me know.
 
best regards,
 
Don Linneer
Phoenix, AZ

Bryan was and has been a friend for many years. I always appreciated his guidance and advice through the years. I am so happy that we were able to have lunch April 12th in Casa Grande, AZ. 
I have many positive and fun memories with Bryan.
God Speed.
Don Linneer
Phoenix, AZ

Just to let you know Bryan, it is you who got me to think, try and keep on trying in life.  I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your friendship, your sense of humor, love of horses and sharing some awesome times on the trail with me.  Keep ridin' the trails, stay on course, unless a really cool path comes along for another great adventure!  Give a hug to Jean and Mom and Dad for me.  I know they missed you too!  All our love...till next time.

Dad~I know that you are with Mom now and that makes me happy for you! I love you so  much and will miss you deeply

Dad~ Kisses and Hugs! I just know that you're with Mom now and that makes me happy for you. I will miss you very much though and will forever love you!

                                                                              Charisse

Bryan, I know you have the peace with Jean you have been wanting. Enjoy the ever after with Jean, horses and the Sierras. Look down at El Centro now and then. 

Love,

Hi dad. Love you very much and will miss you terribly. But I know you are where you have wanted to be for a very long time.

OBITUARY

Bryan Houston Hodges

March 16, 1930 – September 8, 2016

Zoeller Funeral Home

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