John Randolph Hodges

JOHN RANDOLPH "HOOK" HODGES of Huntington, WV, passed away on Monday August 6, 2012 at age 65. He was born June 2, 1947 in Covington, KY to David and Frances  Hodges. John attended Beverly Hills Junior High and Huntington East High School. Following in his father's footsteps, he excelled in numerous sports including baseball, track, basketball and football throughout his school career, being named a junior all-American. Upon graduation in 1965 he attended Marshall University where he joined Kappa Alpha fraternity and made many life-long friends. While at Marshall, he was night manager at the Marshall University Shawkey Student Union, employing several of the athletes killed in the tragic plane crash in 1970. It was at Marshall University where he met his wife of 43 years, Kathy Forker of Gahanna, Ohio. John graduated with a degree in business management. He was employed by several food companies where he won numerous awards for salesmanship. He became Executive Director of the West Virginia Wholesalers Association, a position he held for over thirty years until his death. As a trusted advocate for business he worked tirelessly with the West Virginia State Legislature, serving on numerous boards and councils, both locally and nationally, and represented numerous organizations through Hodges and Associates. John volunteered with his father as a coach for Beverly Hills Youth Basketball, coaching all of his children and hundreds of others over many years. He was an avid supporter of Marshall Athletics. He travelled to his beloved Outer Banks of North Carolina at least once a year his entire life where he surfed, fished and enjoyed time with his family. Above all else he valued honesty, loyalty, and hard work which are evidenced in his personal and business relationships. His absence will be noted by the many individuals he mentored throughout his career. He is survived by his wife, Kathy, son Jonathan (Samantha), son Adam (Renee), daughter Eden, grandchildren Jesse, Emma, Eden "Edie", Parker and David, sisters Ann Cliness of Poland, Ohio and Nancy Burmeister of Big Rapids, Michigan and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, friends and colleagues. There will be a celebration of his life on Saturday August 18, from 2:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Marshall University Student Center. The family requests no flowers, donations may be made to the Duck Volunteer Fire Department (D.V.F.D) 1259 Duck Road, Duck, NC 27949. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.beardmortuary.com. Beard Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.

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