Alonzo H Hodgson Jr.'s Obituary
Alonzo H Hodgson, Jr. was born on September 10, 1925 in DeKalb, Texas and passed away at 92 years old on August 9, 2018 in Longview, Texas. A lot happened in-between.
Jr fell in a well at his home when he was 9 and had a life-changing injury. He was trying to fill a bucket with water and leaned too far over the edge of the well and fell in, hitting his head and his side at the bottom. He was missed shortly afterward and finally found by his father. Since this was a rural town, the ambulance was only available to take him into Texarkana on Saturday, several days away. The side wound was so severe that surgery had to be performed immediately, so the local doctor operated on him on the family dining room table to save his life. Recovery took a long time and Jr understood that he needed to find a profession other than farming, as his father did. So, he finished high school and joined the Navy at 17 years old during WWII. He served his county as a signalman on the U.S.S Lowndes, a military transport ship. His ship supported troops in Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
During a time of leave, he met and proposed to Oneice Jessie Russell of DeKalb, Texas. After his discharge from the Navy, they married and moved to College Station for Jr, now known as “H”, to attend Texas A&M College on the GI Bill. He graduated in 3 ½ years, because his allotment ran out, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering. H was a life-long ardent fan of Texas A&M football program. He was optimistic that each year was going to be the big year for the Aggies. H read the sports magazines, kept statistics, and enjoyed the Dallas Morning News. He went to work at the Atlanta, Texas Department of Highways and Public Transportation District 19 office and the family settled there. Two daughters, Debbie the blonde and Susan, the redhead, were born there to Oneice and H. During H’s time in Atlanta, he recommended and presented the proposal to establish the Highway District 19 Credit Union.
A promotion with the Highway Department led the family to Texarkana. An important accomplishment during his time in Texarkana was leading the design and completion of 30 miles of the I30 corridor from Texarkana to New Boston. Part of that project was the cloverleaf access to I30 on State Line Avenue. O & H were active at Williams Memorial Methodist Church on Reading Avenue in Texarkana, supporting the MYF programs for the girls. H deboned many chickens for the youth Chicken & Spaghetti fund raising meals at the church and chaperoned trips to SMU football games and the state fair. They supported the Texas High School Band Boosters by working the in the concession stand during home games and at the Four-States Fair each year.
During this time, O & H built several homes in the Texarkana area and had lovely yards in each one. H designed the houses and O filled them with antique furniture and her lovely collections. O designed the gardens and H happily did the manual labor. Every azalea or rose bush that O was ever given were moved from house to house.
H retired in 1986 and the fun really began. They traveled and camped with their RV friends and grandchildren. They traveled to Canada, Hawaii and other US destinations with H’s Navy shipmate reunions. They visited many European countries with a group from Williams Memorial Church.
They eventually settled back in Atlanta at Fin & Feather Lake and hosted many family reunions and fish fry parties. The grandchildren loved to visit and drive Papa H’s barge around the lake and fish off the pier. This was the summer vacation destination for the girls and their families. They also hosted Sunday School class parties, Red Hat parties and Hat & Glove Club parties. H was an honorary member of these ladies organizations because he drove O to each one and rather than let him sit in the car, the ladies always invited him to join them. H had to wear a purple shirt to the Red Hat meetings, so he had quite a few in his closet.
H was born to Alonzo Hugh Hodgson and Kate Smith Hodgson. He was married to Oneice for 70 years and 10 days. He is survived by his daughter Debbie and husband Jim Meehan of Davenport, Iowa and Susan and husband David LaBay of Hallsville, Texas. Grandchildren include Amanda and Steve Miller of Omaha, Nebraska, Amy and Kevin Kay of Davenport, Iowa, Matt and Sara Meehan of Davenport, Iowa, Jess LaBay and Bret LaBay of Hallsville, Texas. Great-grandchildren include Landon and Leah Miller, Sam, Cooper Alonzo, Nora, and Adam Meehan and George Kay. He is also survived by his brother Walker and Meg Hodgson of Austin and many nieces and nephews. Special friend Jim Buchanan came to Buckner to play cribbage with H every week. Danny and Lou LaBay and their children and grandchildren were also family to him.
H was a Christian husband, father and friend. He taught Sunday School for many years and studied the Bible to be prepared for his lessons. When asked how he knew the Bible so well, he replied that he had taken a Bible class at Texas A&M and he always remembered what he learned there. He was a true gentleman and he loved his girls the most of all.
Funeral services will be 10 am Monday at Hallsville First United Methodist Church with visitation starting at 9 am. Burial will be 2 pm at Chapelwood Memorial Gardens in Nash, Texas under direction of Rader Funeral Home.
What’s your fondest memory of Alonzo?
What’s a lesson you learned from Alonzo?
Share a story where Alonzo's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Alonzo you’ll never forget.
How did Alonzo make you smile?
