Jesse "The Hodge" Hodges

Published in the Philadelphia Inquirer & Philadelphia Daily News on 5/29/2009

JESSE "THE HODGE" 64, husband of Anne Louise (Decker) Hodges, of Perkiomen-ville, PA, formerly of Upper Moreland, passed away suddenly on Tuesday at his residence.

Born in Philadelphia, he was the son of the late Jesse J. and Elizabeth (Bridygham) Hodges. Jesse served as an Infantry Officer in the US Army 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) out of Fort Bragg, NC and 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in the Republic of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War.

He was a professor at MCCC for 37 years, obtained Masters Degrees in Health in Physical Education & Recreation, Psychology, and History, received the Lindback Distin-guished Teaching Award from MCCC in 2007 and was awarded Professor Emeritus in Psychology and History.

Jesse was also a professional baseball player. He played on the New York Yankees farm system in Greensboro, NC. He was inducted in 1967 to the All American Baseball Hall of Fame 3rd Baseman First Team. In 2008, he was inducted into the Temple University Baseball Hall of Fame. Jesse sponsored the Kim family from Vietnam. Mr. Kim was a liaison for the US Army Special Forces Camp while Jesse served in Vietnam.

Mr. Kim, his wife and two adult sons are now successfully settled in the United States. He will be sadly missed by many friends who thought of "The Hodge" as family. His friends were the best part of him and proved that with his life.

Friends may call on Sunday, from 6 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. at CATAGNUS FUNERAL HOME & Cremation Center, Inc., 1020 E. Phila. Ave., Gilbertsville.

Services and interment are private and at the convenience of the family. Donations may be made in Jesse's name to the MCCC Foundation, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422 for the scholarship fund or to the Humane Society at The HSUS, Dept. HHHONL, 2100 L Street NW, Washington, DC 20037.

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