1924
Samuel
2015
Samuel Roy Hodges
November 10, 1924 — November 29, 2015
On November 29, 2015 Samuel Roy Hodges, lovingly surrounded by his family, made a swift journey across Jordan’s chilly waters to meet his heavenly Father and a beloved host that has gone on before.
“Roy”, as he was affectionately called by his grandchildren and many friends, was born on November 10, 1924, in Ragley, Louisiana, to Samuel Henry and Julia Elizabeth “Bessie Lee” Hodges. The youngest of 8 children, he entered the United States Army on November 18, 1943. He served in the 2nd Infantry Division (2nd Indianhead Division) and entered the European front of WWII just days after D-Day. He fought in the major battles of the European Theatre including the Battle of the Bulge and the Liberation of Pilsen, Czechoslovakia. A highly decorated WWII veteran, he loved this great country and attended many military events, even traveling back to Pilsen for their 65th Liberation Festival. His most recent award came in November, 2014, when he was presented with France’s highest decoration, the “French Legion of Honor Award” for his service in France during World War II. He was honorably discharged in 1945 and went on to work as a buyer for Cities Service Oil Refinery. He retired in November, 1983 after 37 years of service.
Roy met the love of his life, Ouida Donald, just shortly after returning from his service to our country. They were married on September 11, 1950. Residents of Moss Bluff, they were pillars and faithful servants at Apostolic Temple in Lake Charles, Louisiana. A devoted husband and loving father to three children, he was “second to none” and his presence here on earth will be greatly missed.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Bessie of Ragley, his 4 sisters and 3 brothers, and his loving wife of 63 years, Ouida Donald Hodges.
He is survived by his two daughters Sherry Griffin of Lake Charles and Marcia Bankens of Moss Bluff, and his son and wife, Thomas and Joann Hodges of San Antonio, Texas. To his 11 grandchildren, Julie Richard (Jared), Vesta Griffin, Courtney Robertson (Melan), Leslie Griffin, Jeff Bankens (Sarah), Melanie Huddleston (Chuck), Johnnie and Jared Bankens, and Clint, Troy, and Tommy Hodges, and 10 great-grandchildren, Lindsay Savant, Kassidy, Keagan, Jillian, and Sophie Richard, Graham and Eden Robertson, Landon Griffin, Isaac Bankens, and Nathaniel Huddleston, he was larger than life and they will feel the absence of his great love.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, December 3, 2015 at the Apostolic Temple church in Lake Charles. Pastor Ricky Treece will officiate. Burial will follow in Magnolia Cemetery in Ragley under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation will begin in the church on Wednesday from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM and will resume on Thursday from 10:00 AM until the start of the service.
“Roy”, as he was affectionately called by his grandchildren and many friends, was born on November 10, 1924, in Ragley, Louisiana, to Samuel Henry and Julia Elizabeth “Bessie Lee” Hodges. The youngest of 8 children, he entered the United States Army on November 18, 1943. He served in the 2nd Infantry Division (2nd Indianhead Division) and entered the European front of WWII just days after D-Day. He fought in the major battles of the European Theatre including the Battle of the Bulge and the Liberation of Pilsen, Czechoslovakia. A highly decorated WWII veteran, he loved this great country and attended many military events, even traveling back to Pilsen for their 65th Liberation Festival. His most recent award came in November, 2014, when he was presented with France’s highest decoration, the “French Legion of Honor Award” for his service in France during World War II. He was honorably discharged in 1945 and went on to work as a buyer for Cities Service Oil Refinery. He retired in November, 1983 after 37 years of service.
Roy met the love of his life, Ouida Donald, just shortly after returning from his service to our country. They were married on September 11, 1950. Residents of Moss Bluff, they were pillars and faithful servants at Apostolic Temple in Lake Charles, Louisiana. A devoted husband and loving father to three children, he was “second to none” and his presence here on earth will be greatly missed.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Bessie of Ragley, his 4 sisters and 3 brothers, and his loving wife of 63 years, Ouida Donald Hodges.
He is survived by his two daughters Sherry Griffin of Lake Charles and Marcia Bankens of Moss Bluff, and his son and wife, Thomas and Joann Hodges of San Antonio, Texas. To his 11 grandchildren, Julie Richard (Jared), Vesta Griffin, Courtney Robertson (Melan), Leslie Griffin, Jeff Bankens (Sarah), Melanie Huddleston (Chuck), Johnnie and Jared Bankens, and Clint, Troy, and Tommy Hodges, and 10 great-grandchildren, Lindsay Savant, Kassidy, Keagan, Jillian, and Sophie Richard, Graham and Eden Robertson, Landon Griffin, Isaac Bankens, and Nathaniel Huddleston, he was larger than life and they will feel the absence of his great love.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, December 3, 2015 at the Apostolic Temple church in Lake Charles. Pastor Ricky Treece will officiate. Burial will follow in Magnolia Cemetery in Ragley under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation will begin in the church on Wednesday from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM and will resume on Thursday from 10:00 AM until the start of the service.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Samuel Roy Hodges, please visit our flower store.
Guestbook
Visits: 14
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors