Gary Alvin Hodge

HEBER SPRINGS, ARK. Gary Hodge, quietly and peacefully, changed his address on Tuesday, June 3, 2008, from Searcy, Arkansas, to his eternal home in Heaven with Jesus.

Gary passed away peacefully with his dear wife, Linda, holding his hand after a long and courageous battle with liver and kidney failure. Gary's loving devoted wife, Linda, spent the last few months taking care of his needs in their home and various hospitals. All of Gary's family would like to honor Linda at this time for being a wonderful example of unconditional love and for her commitment to their marriage vows to be supportive during the best of times and the worst of times. Gary's passion in life was his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, his family, and his music. Gary and Linda were members at Happy Valley Baptist Church in Carlsbad, N.M. The prayers and encouragement from family and many friends was most important to everyone during this difficult time.

Gary was born in Hobbs, New Mexico, on February 16, 1955, to Bobbie and Herchel Hodge. He was born on his maternal grandmother's birthday, Sue Sutton, who is now 92 years old. Gary attended Permian High School in Odessa, Texas. After graduation, he completed various trade schools. Gary was a master of technology, master electrician, design electrician, electronics technician, refrigeration fabricator, computer technician, PLC programmer. He owned his own heating and a/c company for numerous years. Later, he taught in an Arkansas college and held various leadership positions in electrical departments for major companies in Texas and New Mexico. Gary's favorite way to spend his spare time was playing the guitar and writing his own music.

Gary is survived by: his wife, Linda Hodge; his mother, Bobbie Jones and stepfather, Wayne Jones; his brother, Gene Hodge, and wife, Donna; his brother, Glen Hodge, and wife, Sue; his sister, Cindy Hales-Hamm, and husband, Jim; his aunt, Brenda Bailey, and husband, Gary; aunt, Becky Shoemake Patton; aunt, Debbie Wilson; aunt, Joyce Hodge Sellers; his uncle, Jimmy Hodge and wife, Charlene; uncle Bob Shoemake, and wife, Gail; with many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Gary is also survived by: his mother-in-law, Mae Rowland; Linda's brothers, Barry, Bobby and Ronny Rowland; her daughter, Kim Tarbet; with two children, Kassey and Keith; and her daughter, Pam Favors, husband, Jeff, with son, Dillon.

Gary was preceded in death by; his father, Herchel Hodge; his grandparents, Pres and Gladys Hodge; grandfather, Robert Shoemake; uncles, Bill Wilson and Larry Hodge; cousins, Cheri Hodge, Jerry Hodge and Phillip Hodge; and his brother-in-law, Carl Rowland.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 8, 2008, at Heber Springs Funeral Home, 1199 Wilburn Rd., Heber Springs, Arkansas 72543, with burial at Magness Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Chris Hales, Shawn Hodge, Shane Stapleton, Keith Tarbet, Barry and Ronny Rowland. Honorary or alternate pallbearers will be Dillon Rowland, Rich Cobb, Donal Williams, Kris Williams, Jimmy Hodge and Howard Lambert.