Louis “Butch” Franklin Hodges Jr., age 80, of Seadrift, Texas passed away on Thursday, May 2, 2024. Louis was born June 3, 1943 in Seadrift, Texas to the late Dorothy Lee Grimes Hodges and Louis Franklin Hodges, Sr. He served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. After the war, he worked at Union Carbide until his retirement. His hobbies included fishing and hunting. He enjoyed spending time at The Barn, which he and Sam Marshall established in 1989. He would always say it was the only museum in Seadrift. He was an escort for Combat Marine Outdoors. He enjoyed helping other combat veterans heal and loved bringing them to Seadrift for outdoor therapy. In his time with CMO, he helped thousands of people heal. He was also a past commander of VFW Post 4403 and a member of the DAV (Disabled American Veterans). One of his many accomplishments was setting the Guiness world record for the Texas Water Safari, the world’s toughest canoe race, in 1976. He was able to finish the race in 37 hours and 18 minutes.
Butch is survived by his wife, Mary Hodges; daughter, Katrina Pokluda (Allan); brother, Ronnie Hodges (Susan); sisters, Debbie Kirchner (Gary) and Linda Clements (Roger); grandchildren, Brent Carpenter (Tayler) and Mikaela Morris (Nathan). He is also survived by his great-grandchildren, Khloe, Harper, Case, Greyson and Charlie.
He was preceded in death by his father, Louis Franklin Hodges, Sr.; mother, Dorothy Lee Grimes Hodges; and sister, Sharon Hodges-Mahon.
Graveside services were held Saturday, May 11, 2024 at Seadrift Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were Brent Carpenter, Ardie Hodges, Marcus May, Jonathon Davenport, Randy Spencer and Casey Carter. Honorary pallbearers were Ricky Carter, Louis “Buzzy” Dillon, Neal Crumley, Sam Marshall, Allan Pokluda, Combat Marine Outdoors and American Legion 177.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Butch’s memory may be made to Combat Marine Outdoors, 750 Town and Country Blvd #800, Houston, Texas 77024 or online at www.combatmarineoutdoors.org/#donate.
Thoughts and memories may be shared at www.richardsoncolonial.com.
