Harold Leon Hodges

1932 - 2017

Harold Leon Hodges obituary, 1932-2017, Nichols Hills, OK

BORN

1932

DIED

2017

FUNERAL HOME

Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Directors

6600 Broadway Extension

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Harold Hodges Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Aug. 13, 2017.

Harold L. (Jack) Hodges

Jack Hodges lived large and loved large. He had a huge heart, loved the art of the game and loved a challenge.

He was generous with his family and happy to share his good fortune whether donating to philanthropic causes such as Myriad Botanical Gardens or OCU, political campaigns (purchasing the carpet for the Oval Office when Ronald Reagan was elected President), buying children toys at Sears on Christmas Eve, loaning his jet to friends in need or providing Thanksgiving dinner to the underserved. He taught his children by example to do the same – each child was responsible for buying Christmas for a family including new clothes, toys, Christmas dinner as well as a Christmas tree and all the trimmings. Beginning in 1983 his house was well-known for its Christmas decorations much to the delight of all who drove by.

There was nothing Jack couldn't do and he loved a challenge, whether it was pitching pennies, playing cards, flipping coins, making food, playing golf or hauling a load. He made many BBQ meals on his cooker and he loved cooking for lots of people. In its heyday he loved gambling in Las Vegas, trips to Grand Lake and trips to Acapulco which continued throughout his life.

He often played in the Bob Hope Golf Tournament winning twice. He said he could beat the hell out of a ball but he wasn't a good putter. When asked for his autograph, he said you don't want my autograph I am just a truckdriver. He and Judy entertained Bob Hope in their home on several occasions as well as Telly Savalas, Bob Barker, Cary Grant and Charley Pride.

Jack, 85, died unexpectedly Saturday at home after working last week with his three grandsons at the trucking company they founded six years ago. He was born on July 19, 1932 and by the time he was 10 Jack had his first job selling peanuts at the Oklahoma City Zoo. By the time he was 14 he was working with Mrs. Eckroat at Eckroat Feed & Seed raising chickens.

Hodges Trucking Company was founded in 1932 in Oklahoma City by Bill W. Hodges who sold it to his sons Clarence, J.D. and Jack in 1964 on the condition Jack serve as president. After starting with four trucks, by 1964 it had grown to a fleet of 19 trucks including mobile cranes. By 1971 Jack was the sole owner of the oilfield and heavy haul transportation company which carried oilfield equipment and oversized machinery through its fleet of trucks, forklifts, trailers, and multi-axle lowboys. The company also provided lifting services for heavy equipment, such as bridges, compressors, drilling rig equipment, generators, storage tanks, transformers, vessels, wrecked trains, and computer products through its fleet of cranes. It served various industries and companies in the United States.

There were many occasions when the company was called on to put an airplane back on the runway in an ice storm, pull a truck out of the water after falling off a bridge or take apart missile silos for the government in Salina, Kansas.

During his tenure the company initiated an employee retirement plan and profit-sharing plan; added 20,000 square feet of maintenance and shop facilities and the ability to totally reconstruct a vehicle; acquired J.D. Hodges Trucking Company doubling the size of the company with assets worth $10 million and built 30 special trucks for Parker Drilling Company to send to Algeria. Between 1978 and 1985 Core Oil & Gas Corporation was incorporated and had a rig fleet of 13 and total revenue for the trucking company and drilling company of $131 million. Chesapeake purchased the business in 2006.

Survived by Mary Ann Burnham and his loyal dog Maggie; his children Jimmy and Sheri Hodges, Janna Jernigan and Chris Harwell, Joani Chambers and Stephen Olson, Joe and Kim Hodges; his grandchildren Justin (Jill), Jenny (Josh), Jake (Kristen) and Jodi Hodges; Jimmy (Candice), Jon (Brittany), Juliet (Dave) and Jessica Jernigan; Jill, Jack and Jared Chambers, Erin Zabloudil (Kevin), Alex and Michael Hodges. His great-grandchildren Prestyn, Keaton, Deacon, Emily, Parker, Avery, Everett, Hattie, Jasper, Judson, Wellesley Kate, Brooks, Pate and Hank; his brother J.D. and Miriam Hodges; his sister Joyce Weeks; and LaLa, his faithful caregiver.

He was preceded in death by Judy, his wife of 53 years; his parents W.W. and Euel Hodges; his brothers Lloyd Hodges and Clarence Hodges.

A Celebration of Life will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Crossings Community Church, 14600 N Portland, Oklahoma City; and there will be a viewing from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, August 15th, at Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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July 1, 2020

Caroline Hobia

My dad worked for Jack for 40 ears. He credited everything to him. As little girl he was just but very gentle. My dad admired and loved jack very much....so sorry I'm so late with my condolences.

October 3, 2017

Coworker

Jack Janszen

Jack gave me my first real job after I graduated from the University of Texas in 1973. I met him when I audited his records for a regulatory agency. He was always fair and kind to me, and helped me with my career. I kept in touch with him from time to time until about 5 years ago...I looked him up on a whim/feeling today. I am so sad that he's passed...he was always a larger than life figure and someone I always looked up to. Please accept my heartfelt condolences. So long, Jack, see you on the other side...

August 18, 2017

Cindy -Rusch-Bookstore

Iam very sorry for the loss of your father Jack. He was a good man to my father Bud Rusch.

August 18, 2017

Brenda Hoefar

I worked in the office at the rock quarry Mr. Hodges owned in Weatherford for many years. When the quarry closed he told me he would find a job for me at his office in OKC if I wanted to move. I will never forget that kind gesture. Just shows what a super and kind man he was to everyone he was acquainted with, large and small. My prayers to the family.

August 16, 2017

Diane Devine

I am so sorry for your loss Joanie and family...sending prayers.

August 16, 2017

Diane Devine

August 16, 2017

Steve Leverich

So sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers for the family.

August 16, 2017

Richard Calderon

Jack was an extraordinary man. There are many in the community, myself included, who will deeply mourn his passing as his was a life of service, excellence, compassion, loyalty and unmeasurable love for his family and friends.

Jack Hodges was a giant on everything he did...A man of his word. He had a voice of thunder, strong hands and a soft heart.

Men rise and fall like the winter wheat but Jack Hodges will never die. He will for ever live thru the great legacy he is leaving behind.

May he rest in peace.

August 16, 2017

Corby Fraley Verdoorn

Please know your family is in my heart and prayers. I think of all the fun we had together as families in the Wildwood and Quail Creek days as my dad, Dr. Tom Fraley and your sweet dad, Jack, were best of friends! My dad loved Jack and held him in great respect. Jack was always so welcoming with a huge heart. I can still hear his booming voice inviting us into dinner!! God bless each of you today and always!!

August 16, 2017

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

August 15, 2017

Marci Odor-Willis

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

August 15, 2017

bill brace

hi bill brace here jack and I grew up together from bath grade school and Webster jr high. we were the best friends in third grade on thru jr high I lef.t to join the navy at and early age but we staed in touch over the years. I would see him every time I came back to okc and we had lunch together at the cattelmans café. I loved jack like a brother from the very beginning. and I will have always faund memores of our life together and will miss him forever.may god bless you for having such great farther and mentor. I truly loved jack. mucho love too his famly always. bill brace

August 15, 2017

Pam Landers-Woodard

Loved sweet "Jack-a-leen"and his booming voice and huge presence! Always a big heart, opening his lake home often, not only to me and my immediate family, but extended family as well. Jack's ability to make each person feel special is a rare and precious gift. The love he had for family and his Maggie was obvious to all. Jack and his big smile and contagious laugh will be missed by many. Praying now for his wonderful ,big family during this difficult time, that soon only fun and sweet memories will replace the hole left behind by his passing.Thanks for the memories, Jack, since 1968!

August 15, 2017

Celia/Mateo Sarmiento ( Miriam, Tony's parents)

Life is the greatest gift that God has given us.
Death is only a bridge towards eternal life with God.
Certainly, Heaven is rejoicing for another soul has finally reached his true home.
We extend our most sincere condolences to you all;
We are deeply saddened by the loss of your Dear Mr Jack Hodges; please accept our condolences and may our prayers help confort each one of you.

August 15, 2017

Lindy Hodges

Few people in this life are blessed to have as much positive impact in so many lives as Jack Hodges did. He has touched us all with his unbelievable loyalty as his family and friends.

He always had a kind greeting and I remember you always felt secure in his presence. He was a protector of those he loved and respected those who did the same. Jack loved his sons and daughters like no ones business. The bond of family is one of passion and Jack expressed that in his love for them. I know their fire of passion was ignited by his love for them. His pride always showed through in telling you of the things they were doing.

He helped more people along the way in ways they could help themselves than we will ever know. Jack was a man's man by any description and represented strength in his words and his actions.

Those of us that knew him will always be in debt to his friendship and guidance in our lives. Losing someone as big in life as he was leaves us all in reflection of what his love meant to us all.

Aside from the tribulations of life's many challenges, Jack always stayed the course to guide us all to succeed. I will never forget his kindness to my mother and the help he gave to me and my brothers when our dad died. It's not easy being a Hodges but it does have it's own identity and pride best exemplified by Jack.

I think about what a wonderful legacy he leaves behind in his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. I know he loved them with all his heart. They are all great examples of who he was as demonstrated in their love and kindness for one another. I am always so impressed when I am with them to see parts of Jack in their personalities. I will always love him and miss him.

To my family, please accept all my sympathy. I pray for your comfort and may God bless you all.

August 15, 2017

Margie Woodard-Marshall

I remember Jack and Judi from their watermelon stand on 23rd and Eastern around 1957. So sorry for your loss he was so good to my kids!

August 15, 2017

Scott Rowland

My family and I came to know Jack when he lived across the street from us while building his new home. My daughters, quite young then, came to love Mr. Hodges and his little dog, Maggie. I came to respect him as the type of principled family man who has helped build this state and country. May God bless Jack Hodges and his family.

August 15, 2017

Debbie and Michael Thomas

Dear Hodges family; michael and I have so many wonderful memories. Grand Lake, dinner and a movie with Bob Hope. Jacks famous biscuits, weddings... pool parties... Even bumping into him at the grocery store at 11:00 pm.
Successful in business and a loving father and grandfather. Involved in Community ..he always had time to drive the grandkids around in his convertible ... he loved Christmas !!!! There will never be anyone like him ... we were neighbors and privileged to know such a lovely endearing man.
We love you all he was so blessed with all of you . Michael II and Megan along with the gang of Hodges and Jernigans were always Welcomed.... His and Judy's legacy lives on .

August 14, 2017

Rosen Rennie- Project Planner-MJ&H Fabrication

I got to see him in action on some of the first loads we shipped. Jack was right in the middle of everything sharing his expertise and helping make a tough job easier. He has left the business in good hands. May God bless your family, comfort you all, and provide for you in this time of loss.

August 14, 2017

Anderson Joe

Sorry for your loss!

August 14, 2017

Kathy Hopkins

We've lost an icon in the Oil & Gas & Heavy Haul Trucking Industry...
My deepest sympathy to your family...
Thanks for giving me the honor of working for you the last 32 years so many trucking adventures as your escort/pilot car...
S-CORTS"Piloting for the Best"

August 14, 2017

Carol McCurley

The business World has Lost a Legend; a gentleman of multiple faucets( most importantly, he loved his Family) multitudes of friends. A Giant in the Oilfield Trucking Business, as well as many other ventures. He will remain in the hearts of those; who knew him, kind, caring, always time to listen. My deepest sympathy to the Entire Family, in their Loss.

August 14, 2017

Lolia Calderon

Heavy,
You were too great to ever be forgotten...you will for ever live in our hearts and minds.

Showing 1 - 23 of 23 results

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Memorial Events
for Harold Hodges

Aug

15

Viewing

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Directors

6600 Broadway Extension, Oklahoma City, OK 73116-1298

Aug

16

Celebration of Life

1:00 p.m.

Crossings Community Church

14600 N. Portland, Oklahoma City, OK

Funeral services provided by:

Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Directors

6600 Broadway Extension, Oklahoma City, OK 73116-1298

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