Henry Claude Hodge, aged 82, passed away on February 1, 2024. He was a beloved husband, father, and friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Henry was born on December 14, 1941 in Forest City, North Carolina. He went to elementary and high school at Mt. Vernon in Rutherford County, North Carolina where he was awarded national honors in the FFA and attended the National Banquet in Congress. He attended Isothermal Community College. He worked in the automotive repair business and insurance claims adjuster and later became the owner of a successful collision repair company, Precision Autobody, first in Forest City where he grew up and later moved to Marion with a second shop in Burnsville, North Carolina. The couple retired and moved to Scottsboro, Alabama in Jackson County. He was known for his hard work, dedication, and passion for helping others.
Henry was a devoted father. He loved spending time with his children, teaching them his trade skills, sharing stories, playing games, and taking them on vacations.
In his free time, he loved scuba diving and even was a member of the team that salvaged two Civil War Blockade Runners the Georgiana and Mary Bowers from the bottom of Charleston Bay during the years from 1968 through 1970. Henry also enjoyed NASCAR Racing and spent many years working with several different teams in the pits and during the week to setup chassis, align frames, or do bodywork.
Henry served our country in the Army during the Vietnam Conflict in the 1st Aviation Brigade, as an Aviation Mechanic, Tele-type operator and door gunner. Henry was discharged as a Specialist 5th Class with Honorable conditions.
Henry is survived by his loving wife, Mary Ann Hodge; children, Sonya Lee Hodge (Troy Lawson), Claude Darryl Hodge (Janice Price Hodge), Brian Gordon Hodge and Anita Cherrel Riley (Maurice McCord); his grandchildren, Claudia Ann Hodge, Dalene Anora Hodge and Tyler Austen Hildebran.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Claude Hodge and Kathleen Smart Hodge and children, Henry Carl Hodge and Crystal Susanne Hodge.
A receiving of friends will be at Scottsboro Funeral Home Tuesday, February 6, 2024 from 11:00 am until 11:45 am. The private burial service will be held for family and close friends at the Hodge Family Cemetery in Skyline, Alabama at 12:00 noon.
Flowers may be sent to Scottsboro Funeral Home 1502 County Park Road Scottsboro, Alabama.
Arrangements Entrusted to Scottsboro Funeral Home
