Robert L. Hodges

Robert L. Hodges
Robert L. Hodges

Robert L. Hodges, 77, of Amarillo, Texas, passed away peacefully at home early Tuesday morning, September 1, 2020.

Services will be on Friday, September 4, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at Redeemer Christian Church with David Ritchie, of Redeemer Christian Church, and Dr. Howard Batson of First Baptist Church, officiating. Wearing of masks and social distancing is recommended.

A private family burial will take place prior to the service.  Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors.

Robert was born in Canadian, Texas on November 12, 1942, to Oliver and Alma Hodges.  In 1954 Robert moved with his family to Amarillo.   Robert and his brothers had a love for guitars and would entertain the family, especially at Christmas time, with their musical talents.  Robert continued to enjoy playing the guitar throughout his adult life, and all his kids have great memories of him strumming Spanish guitar music as well as great Merle Haggard tunes.  Robert was a proud Tascosa Rebel and attended the high school the first year it was opened, graduating with the Class of 1961.  Robert was an excellent athlete and competed in shot put at the 1961 Texas UIL State Track Meet his senior year, coming in second place to future Olympic Gold Medalist Randy Matson.  He then attended the University of Arkansas on a track scholarship.

Returning to Amarillo, Robert entered into a very successful career in the electrical wholesale business, working for Graybar Electric, Westinghouse, and as General Manager for Cummins Supply of Amarillo. Robert enjoyed his professional relationships made over the years in this business and remained in close contact with many.  After retiring from the electrical supply business, Robert earned both his stockbroker and real estate licenses.  He worked with ERA Courtyard Realty for several years and developed many wonderful friendships there.

In 1964, Robert married Anndel McCarley.  They had three children, Dane, Vandi and Michael. They divorced in 1985.

In 1987, Robert married Janice Poling and added her two children, Robert and Meredith, to his family.  Robert and Janice enjoyed almost 33 years of marriage and had great times of travel and family enjoyment.  Many people observed that they were one of those rare couples who truly enjoyed each other’s company and seemed to have fun wherever they went together.  As children began adding grandchildren to the family, big family gatherings were enjoyed by all.   Lots of Sunday family dinners were spent together, as well as holidays and birthdays.  Robert loved all of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren immensely.  They were truly his pride and joy!

Robert was a member of Paramount Terrace Christian Church/Hillside Christian Church and most recently attended Redeemer Christian Church.  Robert’s faith in his Savior Jesus Christ was what carried him through the hard days of his recent illness as he kept his eyes on his heavenly home.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Bill, Jimmy, Don and Gary; brother-in-law Robert McCaffree; sister-in-law Theresia Hodges; and his beloved son, Michael, who died in 2012 in a tragic motorcycle accident.

Survivors include his wife, Janice; his son Dane Hodges and Tamara Tabor of Amarillo; his daughter Vandi Hodges and husband Lawson Stiff of Houston; his son Robert Poling  and wife Wendy of Lenexa, Kansas; and his daughter Meredith Poling of Tulsa, Oklahoma; grandchildren Troy Hodges, McKinzie Hodges, Kolbi Graves, Cade Hodges, Jocelyn Hodges, Azra Hodges, Genevieve Poling and Audrey Poling; great-grandchildren Max Hodges, Millianna Hodges and A’Marii Santoyo; also his sister, Mary Simmers and husband David  of  Amarillo; daughter-in-law Dana Hodges of Yantis; and sisters-in-law Joyce Hodges, Deborah Beckham, Mary Dodson and Rita Holloway, all of Amarillo and Freddie Hodges of Dallas, along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins whom he loved dearly.

Visitation will be held at Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home on Thursday, September 3, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to be made to National Jewish Hospital in Denver, Colorado, for continuing research into Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

 

 

 

22 Replies to “Robert L. Hodges”

  1. Robert and I became friends in 1954, when his family relocated to Amarillo from Canadian, and mine from Childress.
    We attended Lee Bivins Elementary, Austin Jr. High, and Tascosa High. We played sports together, got into mischief together, and grew to manhood together.
    As years and miles separated us, we still remained close. He was always faithful, attending several funerals of my family members, including my beloved Kathy in 1993. When we would talk and meet, it was as if it were still the years of our youth. Brothers-not by blood, but by a close bond and faith.
    I know he now has a perfect body, in his continuation of his eternal life. I know we will meet again.

    His friend of 66 years, and counting.

    Terry Mahan

    1. Hi, Terry! Elaine Seewald, Carol Walker, Carol Covington, Jan Reeves, and Martha Makeig were thinking about you today. We have a weekly Saturday text message visit. Hope you be are happy and healthy. Don’t know if my email will show, but Martha is [email protected].

  2. Robert will surely be missed here on earth, but hopefully he’ll quickly find his son Michael and his brothers, and there will be a celebration. My deepest sympathy to Janice and all of Robert’s family in the loss of one of the nicest men around.

  3. Robert was one of the really great guy’s always nice and polite he was a true gentelmen.I know he is in heaven and now he has no pain.He is with his best friend Duval and having their own track meet.I miss them both.Janice i sorry we are so far away my God bless you and keep you safe

  4. It was a great pleasure to be friends and work with Robert.
    He was the best, Heaven Is a better place with Robert strumming his guitar

  5. Robert was truly one of the good guys . Prayers for Janice and the family. we have known Robert for a lot of years.

    Glenda and Dan Martin

  6. What can be said about Robert? I had the great opportunity to work with him at Wesco and Cummins. He was a true professional, gentleman, and great person to be around. He was a mentor to me and I have tried to follow his lead through the years.

    Robert, you are truly missed and will not be forgotten. May the Lord bless your wonderful family now and forever.

  7. Dearest Janice, our hearts break for you. John and I are so sorry for the passing of sweet Robert. What a wonderful man…., always smiling, so full of love for his Lord, his family and his friends. He will be greatly missed by many.
    May God comfort you throughout the coming days.

  8. We’ve been dear friends for a long time so until I hopefully see you in heaven. You are a fine man , a fine husband and father to your wonderful family. You will be greatly missed. A classmate😇❤️❤️🤗

  9. Our love and condolences to you Janice & Family of Robert. We sure did enjoy our meet up in Franklin, Tennessee. The two of you were ‘peas and carrots’! 😉 Much love from Alabama.

  10. Was classmate friend and neighbor for a long time. He was such a wonderful kid and man .
    Prayers to his family . He will be missed.
    From a fellow rebel,
    Meredith Marsh Ford

  11. I am so saddened by this news. Robert had been a sweet friend of my brother, Pat Robertson, & mine since the 10th grade. We text not too long ago & he said he was not doing well. Little did I know, which makes me sadder that I didn’t reach out then.
    RIP sweet friend & may God wrap his arms around Janice & your family.

  12. Janice,

    So sorry for your loss. Karen and I grieve for you and your family. In lieu of flowers we have made a donation to the National Jewish Hospital in Robert’s honor.

    With love,

    Dennis and Karen

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