Gary W. Hodges, 74, of West Des Moines, Iowa, passed away on Monday, January 13, 2025. A gathering will be held on Thursday, January 16, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at McLaren’s Resthaven Chapel. A private family burial will be held at a later time.
Gary was born on May 3, 1950 in Des Moines, Iowa to Russell and Margaret (Brady) Hodges. He was one of nine children. He attended Valley High School, and he graduated from there in 1969. He started working for the Rock Island Railroad following graduation. He continued his career of 40 plus years as a manager in the traffic control industry throughout the Des Moines area. He was awarded a key to the city of West Des Moines due to his work during flood relief efforts in 1993.
In 1971, Gary married the love of his life, Cassandra “Candy” Thomas. In this union, they had two children, Tod and Jennifer.
Gary was a passionate outdoorsman who loved spending his time hunting and fishing, and he had an enduring fascination with World War II history. A loyal Detroit Lions fan through every season, his greatest pride and joy came from the life he built with his beloved wife, his “babydoll”, and the love he had for his children, whom he considered his greatest achievement.
Gary is survived by his son, Tod (Abby) Hodges of Indianola; daughter, Jennifer (Shawn) Goodside of Norwalk; eight grandchildren, Tod Hodges, Jr., Brianna (Lucas) Bloomquist, Jordan (Alex) Graeve, Tyler Wimber, Kaylee Hodges, Billy Thompson, Aidan (Malinna) Hodges and Amelia Hodges; five great-grandchildren; brother, Ronald Hodges of Indianola; and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Cassandra Hodges; siblings, Bob Hodges, Jim Hodges, Denny Hodges, Judy Mendenhall, Sherry Hodges, Gene Hodges, and Mike Hodges; and brother-in-laws, Donald Thomas Jr., Gary Turner, and John Massey.
Memorial contributions may be made to the John Stoddard Cancer Center in memory of his wife, Candy.
