Donald Hodges Dies at 94

Donald Bradford Hodges died after a short illness on November 10, 2013. 

He was born December 8, 1918 in Taunton, Mass. to Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Carlton Hodges. In 1922 Donald came to Westwood at the age of 4. He graduated Westwood High School in 1936. He married the love of his life Kathryn Appley in 1942, the same year he joined the Navy. Don proudly served for 20 years and 1 day where he achieved the rank of Senior Chief Yeoman. Don was very proud to reach the rank as Life Scout in Troop 47 BSA. Don served Zion Lutheran Church in Westwood as a parishioner and an elder. He also served on Westwood Volunteer Fire Department for 66 years and is an honorary chief of the department. Don served on the Westwood Volunteer Ambulance Corps for 18 years.

He was a member of the Pascack Valley Order of DeMolay and was a Master Mason for 67 years. He served the New Jersey Grand Lodge as Grand Chaplain and was Worshipful Master of Temple Lodge 173 F&AM, for three terms. Don also served as Worthy Patron of Temple Chapter 62 OES for 20 terms. He was proud to initiate his two sons and one grandson into the Masonic fraternity. He was the Assistant Secretary to the North Jersey Past Master Association. Don was owner and operator of Fraternally Yours in Westwood from 1972 until he retired. 

Don is survived by his wife of 71 years, Kathryn Appley Hodges. He is also survived by sons James Bradford Hodges and his wife Helen Mandeville Hodges, son James Donald Hodges I and his wife Cheryl Hrbek Hodges. Grandsons, James Donald II and his wife Randi Whyard Hodges, Noel Bradford and his wife Kristin Blair Hodges, Robert Beau Hodges and his wife Nicole Broderick Hodges, Trevor James Hodges and his fiancé Ashley Massaroco, Amy and Dave Dellentash, Lori Hrbek and Jeff Schager. Great grandchildren Conner McCarron, Luke Dellentash, Steven Christopher Hodges, Avery Kathryn Hodges, Jackson Bradford Hodges, Robert James Hodges, James Donald Hodges III. Predeceased by grandson Sgt. Christopher Hrbek, USMC. 

The family would like to thank the dedicated team at Care One in Oradell for caring for Donald with respect and compassion. Each of you made his final journey a little easier. 

The family will receive their friends at Becker Funeral Home, 219 Kinderkamack Road, Westwood, on Wednesday, 3-9 p.m. During visitation four services: VFW 7:30, WFD 8:00, Eastern Star 8:20 and Masonic 8:45. Funeral at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Second Avenue and Elm Street, Westwood on Thursday 10:30 a.m. Interment to follow at Westwood Cemetery. Memorial donations to a charity of your choice. Becker-funeralhome.com

This post was supplied by Becker Funeral Home.