Hodge Houston Hixson Jr.

On April 7, 2015, HODGE HOUSTON HIXSON, II passed away quietly in his sleep. In the course of his 89 years here on earth, HODGE led a colorful life. He was a strong independent man of integrity and true grit, who lived with a spirit of excelling at everything he did. "If any job is worth doing, it is worth doing right," HODGE would say, and he meant it. He especially excelled in his commitments to his family, the defense of his country, as well as to his post-military career. HODGE joined the U.S. Marine Corps straight out of high school and remained on active duty for the next twenty-three years. During that time, he was deployed across the world serving various "hot zones" as called. This required of HODGE to serve multiple tours of duty in Viet Nam, Korea, Okinawa (Japan), Guam, Puerto Rico, to name a few. In 1966, HODGE transferred to the Fleet Marine Corps Reserve for an additional four years, where he trained our troops while he was stationed at Omaha, Nebraska. After retiring, HODGE brought his family of six to Kalamazoo, Michigan, in order to join Eaton Corporation in nearby Battle Creek. Here he was happy to apply his engineering experience and college education to increase the company's bottom line. It was also here in Michigan that HODGE obtained his pilot's license, bought an old boat which he liked to work on, and groove to being "Dad", spending much more time with his family. HODGE subsequently relocated the family to Houston, Texas in order to help care for his eldest son, Joseph, who became paralyzed during a boating accident on Lake Conroe. HODGE impressed us with many beautiful memories of love, hope, challenge, and above all, a fierce determination to never give in, never give up. He will be missed by so many whose lives he has touched in such whimsical ways! HODGE was married to his bride, Joan, for 52 years, and together they raised four children and two grandchildren. HODGE was preceeded in death by his parents, Hodge H. Hixson, Sr. and Minnie Lewallen, HODGE'S wife, Joan, and their eldest son, Joseph Hixson. He leaves behind two daughters Lea Long, and Lori Hixson, youngest son Thomas Hixson, and his grandchildren Chase Parker and Robin Hixson. Please join us for family visitation on Friday, April 10, at Magnolia Funeral Home, from 6 to 8 p.m. Services will be held here the following morning at the chapel, at 11:30 a.m.