Obituary of Oscar F. Hodges

Oscar F. Hodges, age 80, of Arnett Hollow Road, Vilas, passed away Sunday morning, April 19, 2015 at Cannon Memorial Hospital in Linville. Oscar Finley Hodges was born October 19, 1934 in Watauga County, he was a son of Joel Bynum and Exie Tolbert Hodges. Mr. Hodges was a member of Mount Lebanon Baptist Church. After serving in the U.S. Army, he received an Associate Degree in Applied Science from Caldwell Community College. Mr. Hodges retired from the Town of Boone as Superintendent of the waste water treatment plant. During his early teen years, Oscar became an avid bear, deer and coon hunter, a hobby that he passed down to his next generation. He loved hunting and camping, especially with family, friends, and his special hunting buddy, Wayne Baird. Mr. Hodges is survived by his wife of 57 years, Wava Yarber Hodges; sons, Blaine Hodges of Foscoe, Thomas Hodges of Vilas, and Aaron Hodges of Spruce Pine; daughter, Beverly Broschinski and husband, Rudy, of Sugar Grove; eleven grandchildren, Edward Hodges and wife, Mary, Kevin Hodges and wife, Heather, Christopher Hodges and wife, Amy, Eric, Everett and Joshua Broschinski, Avery, Austin and Ashley Hodges, Kayla Trivette and husband, Adam, and Hope Smith and husband, J.D.; eleven great-grandchildren; two sisters, Peggy Austin and husband, Bill, of Boone, and Beulah Bentley of Hickory; brother, Jay Hodges of Baltimore, Md.; two aunts, Floy Baird of West Jefferson, and Blanche Conley of Granite Falls; and two sisters-in-law, Zenna Pyatte and Georgie BelCostello. A host of loving nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Mary Arnette and Clara Hayes, and his parents. Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday afternoon, April 21st, at 2 oclock, at Mount Lebanon Baptist Church, officiated by Rev. Burl Greer and Rev. Derick Wilson. The body will lie in state at the church from 1 until 2 oclock. Graveside services, with Military Honors provided by the American Legion Post 130, will follow at the Danner Cemetery. The family will receive friends Monday evening from 6 until 8 oclock at the Austin and Barnes Funeral Home. Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to the Danner Cemetery Fund, in care of David Hodges, 1075 Laurel Fork Road, Vilas, NC 28692. Online condolences may be shared at the website www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Hodges family.