Jerry H. Hodge

Jerry H. Hodge, businessman, rancher and philanthropist, 81, of Amarillo, TX died peacefully at home on July 25th, 2024. 

Jerry was born September 7, 1942, in Carnegie, OK to Robert Herman (Bob) Hodge and Creda Arvona Ainsworth Hodge. Jerry and his parents moved to Amarillo in 1957, changing the course of Jerry’s life, and forever altering the landscape of Amarillo forever. Jerry graduated from Tascosa High School in 1960, setting the stage for the fierce Tascosa and Amarillo High School rivalry which still exists today. Once a Rebel, always a Rebel. Jerry decided to earn his pharmacy degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University Pharmacy School in 1965. Jerry always remained true to his Oklahoma roots. 

Jerry purchased Maxor Drug at the age of 23 and over the next 49 years, made Maxor grow from a single storefront located in downtown Amarillo into a nationwide provider of integrated pharmacy services with pharmacies in over a dozen states. Today, Maxor National Pharmacy Services employs over 1,000 people. 

At the age of 30, Jerry was elected to the City Commission and served two terms before being elected as Mayor of Amarillo in 1977. At the age of 34, he was the youngest person to ever hold the position and later won re­election by one of the largest total votes in the history of the city. 

Throughout his life, Jerry worked tirelessly in numerous civic leadership roles with the goal of strengthening the local economy and community. He acted as Director of the Texas Municipal Retirement System, President of the State Board of Pharmacy, member of the Tri-State Fair’s Long-Range Planning Committee, member of the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors and Chairman of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice. 

During his seven years on the Texas Board of Criminal Justice, Amarillo gained two prisons while ten other West Texas cities gained prison units as well, providing a tremendous economic benefit to these communities. In 1995, The Jerry H. Hodge Unit in Rusk, TX was named in honor of his commitment to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. While serving as Vice Chairman of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice, Jerry worked with Texas Tech Chancellor, John Montford, to help establish the Texas Tech School of Pharmacy in Amarillo. Decades later, the “Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy” was established to honor his leadership and philanthropy to Texas Tech University. 

In 1991, while working on a management contract for Johns Hopkins Medical Center in Baltimore, Jerry met Margaret, the one true love of his life. After three years of “chasing him,” as he liked to joke, Jerry convinced Margaret to move to Texas following their marriage on July 29, 1994. They were blissfully and hopelessly devoted to each other for just a few days short of 30 glorious years of marriage. With Margaret by his side, they were unstoppable, pursuing philanthropic and business endeavors, while also having a whole lot of fun together just hanging out in their backyard with their beloved dogs, Bear, Tank the Akita and Stella the German Shepherd. 

Beyond Jerry’s love of business, public service and Margaret, Jerry had a phenomenal passion for ranching. He believed in the preservation of the Texas longhorn cattle and the ranching traditions of the past. In 1982, he purchased the High Card Ranch in Clarendon, TX and began developing a unique herd of solid black cattle which eventually gained nationwide notoriety for its quality and representation of the “Texas Breed” of cattle. 

In 2009, Jerry purchased the Dos Rios Ranch outside of Springer, NM. Over the next several years, Jerry strategically purchased and reassembled one of New Mexico’s historic ranches. Nothing brought Jerry greater joy than being horseback on his ranch with a Coors Light, reveling in God’s spectacular beauty. Jerry actively participated in working cattle on his ranches, never missing Spring and Fall work. Jerry was a longtime participant in the Coors Ranch Rodeo since its inception in 1988. He and his ranch competed annually in the rodeo, and it was one of Jerry’s favorite events throughout the year. The High Card Ranch still competes in the Coors Ranch Rodeo to this day. 

In 2016, Jerry “retired” from Maxor after 49 years as CEO and later Chairman of the Board. For him, retirement had a different connotation than for most. He continued to be closely involved in Maxor’s operations as a member of the board for an additional 7 years, almost always coming into the office 6 days a week. He also pursued other business ventures, including real estate, convenience stores in NM, the historic Amarillo Club, the Downtown Athletic Club, and of course, baseball. 

One of Jerry’s most visible legacies is the iconic Hodgetown stadium of Amarillo. Jerry’s passion and love of baseball would later inspire him to champion the cause of bringing minor league baseball with major league affiliation back to Amarillo. On April 8, 2019, the Amarillo Sod Poodles played their first game in the new stadium, aptly named Hodgetown to celebrate his commitment to making this dream a reality.

Jerry understood the need for a veterinary school to be established in Amarillo and fought hard alongside a team of devoted community members to make this dream come to fruition. In 2022, the Texas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine accepted its inaugural class. 

Finally, at the age of 79, Jerry published his memoir entitled, “You’re On, Cowboy.” An entrepreneur by trade and a cowboy at heart, he shared lessons on life, love, and business with unpolished honesty, humor, and a few choice words.

Jerry has been recognized many times over the years for his civic service, business leadership, and generosity, including being named as a distinguished alumnus of Southwestern Oklahoma State University, an inductee into the Tascosa High School Hall of Fame, the recipient of the Denver Health CEO Award, St. Vincent’s Hospital Manhattan’s Angelus Award, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Hope Award, the Amarillo Globe News 100 History Makers of the 20th Century Award, the Amarillo Globe News 2017 Headliner Award, and the Amarillo Globe News 2018 Man of the Year Award. 

Jerry will be remembered by his many employees, business colleagues and friends as the ultimate entrepreneur, a savvy negotiator, and a tough but compassionate leader with a great sense of humor. Throughout his long career in business and public service, Jerry helped mentor countless young people, often taking a chance on those who might not have an extensive resume or education. He believed in the raw talent and work ethic of individuals, encouraging scores of people to pursue successful careers in business and pharmacy leadership. 

Jerry was truly larger than life and a legend in so many arenas. Jerry will be cherished by those who knew him and revered by those who did not for his impressive legacy on the Texas panhandle.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and beloved grandson, Kody Hodge. Survivors include his wife, Margaret Hodge, of Amarillo, TX, stepmother, Dolores Hodge of Amarillo, TX, his children Heath Hodge (Donna) of Canyon; Ryan Hodge (Kim) of Amarillo; Sunny Hodge-Campbell of Dallas (Michael Flowers); Angela Serio Harney (Seth) of Buena Vista, CO; former son-in-law Andrew Campbell of Dallas. Grandchildren Jerry Heath, Jordan, and Jacob Hodge; Josh Hodge; Ellen Campbell; Imogene, Geneva, and Violet Harney; great-grandchildren Hollis, Lawrence, Cecille, Lola, Jett, Jayton, and River. 

The family wishes to acknowledge and thank those who remain devoted to Jerry’s legacy and his family. LuAnna Hoover, Karen Whitlow, Mike Hodge, Ana and Jaime Rodriguez, Ky Brownlee.

The family would like to recognize and thank those who loved and cared for Jerry especially Sammy De Los Santos, Jr., and the caregivers from Visiting Angels (Amanda, Danielle and Debbie). 

In recognition of the amazing care provided by Dr. Alan Keister, the family requests memorials be made to Heal the City, 609 S. Carolina Street, Amarillo, TX 79106.

Visitation with family and friends will be from 4:00 – 6:00 PM on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home, 2800 Paramount. The funeral service will be at 2:00 pm, Thursday, August 1, 2024, at First Baptist Church, 1208 South Tyler, with Dr. Howie Batson officiating. Interment will follow at Llano Cemetery.