OBITUARY
Dr. Dean R. Hodges
Dr. Dean R. Hodges, a veterinarian and successful businessman died on Saturday, March 6, 2016. He was 83.
"Doc," as he was commonly called, was born on December 19, 1932, to the late Jimmy and Beatrice Hodges in Soperton, Ga. He was the youngest of nine children. As young men, Hodges's older brothers willingly gave up the opportunity to further their education to help the family since their father passed, while allowing him to continue his education.
They were so proud of him and he never forgot their tremendous sacrifice. They would be devoted siblings to each other throughout life.
After Hodges completed high school in Soperton, he entered Fort Valley State College, now Fort Valley State University. His college experience was full and rewarding. He was a track and field high jumper and a drum major. He pledged Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. His academic achievements caught the attention of recruiters from Tuskegee Institute, now Tuskegee University, who came to Fort Valley in search of promising students for its veterinary medicine program. Hodges accepted Tuskegee's invitation and entered its School of Veterinary Medicine in 1954.
Soon after he arrived on Tuskegee's campus, a pretty Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. pledgee, Barbara Harrison, caught his eye.
Hodges completed his veterinary medicine degree at Tuskegee in 1958 and married Barbara that spring at her parents' home in Sylacauga, Ala. He then became a clinician at Tuskegee's Vet School, while he waited for his bride to graduate.
After her graduation, the couple moved to Frederick, Md., where Hodges began a research project involving anthrax at Fort Detrick Army Medical Command, the center of the U.S. biological weapons program. His investigative studies included work with research beagles and monkeys. Hodges created a technique to split the sternum of the research monkey, raise the chest wall to expose the internal organs, and close the chest while maintaining the life and health of the monkey. Word spread about his success and with disbelief, Army officials came to the lab to see if what they heard was true. Hodges was awarded the U.S. Army Commendation Medal for this important work. The open technique he developed is used today in human medicine for procedures such as heart bypass and transplant surgeries.
In the mid-1960s, Hodges and his wife, and their growing family, which now included two young sons, moved to Philadelphia. Their two other sons were born several years later.
In 1970, Hodges and his wife opened an animal hospital in the West Oak Lane section of Philadelphia and devoted the next three decades to building a practice that was a pillar in the community and a symbol of pride and achievement. He purchased a second veterinary hospital in Northeast Philadelphia, and for much of his professional career maintained a daunting six-day-a-week work schedule.
"An astute and successful businessman, Doc could have lived anywhere," his family said in tribute.
"However, he chose to stay in the predominantly African-American neighborhood where his presence would be an example for others to follow and where he could contribute to the community in very tangible ways."
When Hodges and his wife saw the need for a playground in the neighborhood, they decided to build one, which allowed hundreds of kids to be in a safe environment while playing basketball almost year-round. They would raise their children and worship in West Oak Lane.
Hodges was an active member of Corinthian Baptist Church where he served as a trustee and member of the Real Estate Committee.
His family said Hodges always displayed his affection for Tuskegee wherever he went and whatever he did. He was the treasurer of the Philadelphia Chapter of the National Alumni Association and traveled back to Tuskegee every year to participate in the veterinary medicine symposium.
Hodges influence and impact were significant. His family said because of him countless students graduated from Tuskegee, many young men pledged Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, teenagers had summer and after-school jobs that prepared them for the rigors of college and African-American children across the city believed that they too could become a veterinarian or own a business.
"The ultimate measure of a man is not his wealth, but his character. Doc was a man of character," his family said.
"His life orbited around Barbara and their sons, he had fierce loyalty to his community, and he reveled in the accomplishments of his children, grandchildren and those he mentored."
He was preceded in death by his wife.
He is survived by: his sons, Carlos, Ronald, Eric and Keith; daughters-in-law, Ardeth, Tyra, Kellyn and Suzanne; grandchildren, Danielle, Grant, Natalie, Nile, Paige, Cameron, Pierce, Kendall and Raya; brother, Brailford Hodge and sisters-in-law, Janice Harrison Moore, Cora Hodges and Phyllis Hodges.
Services were held Saturday at Bethlehem Baptist Church of Springhouse, 712 Penllyn Pike, Springhouse.
Contributor: 7 of 7 Georgia Peaches (48062810)
View Memorial
Dr. Dean R. Hodges
Dr. Dean R. Hodges, a veterinarian and successful businessman died on Saturday, March 6, 2016. He was 83.
"Doc," as he was commonly called, was born on December 19, 1932, to the late Jimmy and Beatrice Hodges in Soperton, Ga. He was the youngest of nine children. As young men, Hodges's older brothers willingly gave up the opportunity to further their education to help the family since their father passed, while allowing him to continue his education.
They were so proud of him and he never forgot their tremendous sacrifice. They would be devoted siblings to each other throughout life.
After Hodges completed high school in Soperton, he entered Fort Valley State College, now Fort Valley State University. His college experience was full and rewarding. He was a track and field high jumper and a drum major. He pledged Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. His academic achievements caught the attention of recruiters from Tuskegee Institute, now Tuskegee University, who came to Fort Valley in search of promising students for its veterinary medicine program. Hodges accepted Tuskegee's invitation and entered its School of Veterinary Medicine in 1954.
Soon after he arrived on Tuskegee's campus, a pretty Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. pledgee, Barbara Harrison, caught his eye.
Hodges completed his veterinary medicine degree at Tuskegee in 1958 and married Barbara that spring at her parents' home in Sylacauga, Ala. He then became a clinician at Tuskegee's Vet School, while he waited for his bride to graduate.
After her graduation, the couple moved to Frederick, Md., where Hodges began a research project involving anthrax at Fort Detrick Army Medical Command, the center of the U.S. biological weapons program. His investigative studies included work with research beagles and monkeys. Hodges created a technique to split the sternum of the research monkey, raise the chest wall to expose the internal organs, and close the chest while maintaining the life and health of the monkey. Word spread about his success and with disbelief, Army officials came to the lab to see if what they heard was true. Hodges was awarded the U.S. Army Commendation Medal for this important work. The open technique he developed is used today in human medicine for procedures such as heart bypass and transplant surgeries.
In the mid-1960s, Hodges and his wife, and their growing family, which now included two young sons, moved to Philadelphia. Their two other sons were born several years later.
In 1970, Hodges and his wife opened an animal hospital in the West Oak Lane section of Philadelphia and devoted the next three decades to building a practice that was a pillar in the community and a symbol of pride and achievement. He purchased a second veterinary hospital in Northeast Philadelphia, and for much of his professional career maintained a daunting six-day-a-week work schedule.
"An astute and successful businessman, Doc could have lived anywhere," his family said in tribute.
"However, he chose to stay in the predominantly African-American neighborhood where his presence would be an example for others to follow and where he could contribute to the community in very tangible ways."
When Hodges and his wife saw the need for a playground in the neighborhood, they decided to build one, which allowed hundreds of kids to be in a safe environment while playing basketball almost year-round. They would raise their children and worship in West Oak Lane.
Hodges was an active member of Corinthian Baptist Church where he served as a trustee and member of the Real Estate Committee.
His family said Hodges always displayed his affection for Tuskegee wherever he went and whatever he did. He was the treasurer of the Philadelphia Chapter of the National Alumni Association and traveled back to Tuskegee every year to participate in the veterinary medicine symposium.
Hodges influence and impact were significant. His family said because of him countless students graduated from Tuskegee, many young men pledged Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, teenagers had summer and after-school jobs that prepared them for the rigors of college and African-American children across the city believed that they too could become a veterinarian or own a business.
"The ultimate measure of a man is not his wealth, but his character. Doc was a man of character," his family said.
"His life orbited around Barbara and their sons, he had fierce loyalty to his community, and he reveled in the accomplishments of his children, grandchildren and those he mentored."
He was preceded in death by his wife.
He is survived by: his sons, Carlos, Ronald, Eric and Keith; daughters-in-law, Ardeth, Tyra, Kellyn and Suzanne; grandchildren, Danielle, Grant, Natalie, Nile, Paige, Cameron, Pierce, Kendall and Raya; brother, Brailford Hodge and sisters-in-law, Janice Harrison Moore, Cora Hodges and Phyllis Hodges.
Services were held Saturday at Bethlehem Baptist Church of Springhouse, 712 Penllyn Pike, Springhouse.
Contributor: 7 of 7 Georgia Peaches (48062810)
View Memorial
OBITUARY
Dr. Dean R. Hodges
Dr. Dean R. Hodges, a veterinarian and successful businessman died on Saturday, March 6, 2016. He was 83.
"Doc," as he was commonly called, was born on December 19, 1932, to the late Jimmy and Beatrice Hodges in Soperton, Ga. He was the youngest of nine children. As young men, Hodges's older brothers willingly gave up the opportunity to further their education to help the family since their father passed, while allowing him to continue his education.
They were so proud of him and he never forgot their tremendous sacrifice. They would be devoted siblings to each other throughout life.
After Hodges completed high school in Soperton, he entered Fort Valley State College, now Fort Valley State University. His college experience was full and rewarding. He was a track and field high jumper and a drum major. He pledged Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. His academic achievements caught the attention of recruiters from Tuskegee Institute, now Tuskegee University, who came to Fort Valley in search of promising students for its veterinary medicine program. Hodges accepted Tuskegee's invitation and entered its School of Veterinary Medicine in 1954.
Soon after he arrived on Tuskegee's campus, a pretty Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. pledgee, Barbara Harrison, caught his eye.
Hodges completed his veterinary medicine degree at Tuskegee in 1958 and married Barbara that spring at her parents' home in Sylacauga, Ala. He then became a clinician at Tuskegee's Vet School, while he waited for his bride to graduate.
After her graduation, the couple moved to Frederick, Md., where Hodges began a research project involving anthrax at Fort Detrick Army Medical Command, the center of the U.S. biological weapons program. His investigative studies included work with research beagles and monkeys. Hodges created a technique to split the sternum of the research monkey, raise the chest wall to expose the internal organs, and close the chest while maintaining the life and health of the monkey. Word spread about his success and with disbelief, Army officials came to the lab to see if what they heard was true. Hodges was awarded the U.S. Army Commendation Medal for this important work. The open technique he developed is used today in human medicine for procedures such as heart bypass and transplant surgeries.
In the mid-1960s, Hodges and his wife, and their growing family, which now included two young sons, moved to Philadelphia. Their two other sons were born several years later.
In 1970, Hodges and his wife opened an animal hospital in the West Oak Lane section of Philadelphia and devoted the next three decades to building a practice that was a pillar in the community and a symbol of pride and achievement. He purchased a second veterinary hospital in Northeast Philadelphia, and for much of his professional career maintained a daunting six-day-a-week work schedule.
"An astute and successful businessman, Doc could have lived anywhere," his family said in tribute.
"However, he chose to stay in the predominantly African-American neighborhood where his presence would be an example for others to follow and where he could contribute to the community in very tangible ways."
When Hodges and his wife saw the need for a playground in the neighborhood, they decided to build one, which allowed hundreds of kids to be in a safe environment while playing basketball almost year-round. They would raise their children and worship in West Oak Lane.
Hodges was an active member of Corinthian Baptist Church where he served as a trustee and member of the Real Estate Committee.
His family said Hodges always displayed his affection for Tuskegee wherever he went and whatever he did. He was the treasurer of the Philadelphia Chapter of the National Alumni Association and traveled back to Tuskegee every year to participate in the veterinary medicine symposium.
Hodges influence and impact were significant. His family said because of him countless students graduated from Tuskegee, many young men pledged Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, teenagers had summer and after-school jobs that prepared them for the rigors of college and African-American children across the city believed that they too could become a veterinarian or own a business.
"The ultimate measure of a man is not his wealth, but his character. Doc was a man of character," his family said.
"His life orbited around Barbara and their sons, he had fierce loyalty to his community, and he reveled in the accomplishments of his children, grandchildren and those he mentored."
He was preceded in death by his wife.
He is survived by: his sons, Carlos, Ronald, Eric and Keith; daughters-in-law, Ardeth, Tyra, Kellyn and Suzanne; grandchildren, Danielle, Grant, Natalie, Nile, Paige, Cameron, Pierce, Kendall and Raya; brother, Brailford Hodge and sisters-in-law, Janice Harrison Moore, Cora Hodges and Phyllis Hodges.
Services were held Saturday at Bethlehem Baptist Church of Springhouse, 712 Penllyn Pike, Springhouse.
Contributor: 7 of 7 Georgia Peaches (48062810)
View Memorial
Dr. Dean R. Hodges
Dr. Dean R. Hodges, a veterinarian and successful businessman died on Saturday, March 6, 2016. He was 83.
"Doc," as he was commonly called, was born on December 19, 1932, to the late Jimmy and Beatrice Hodges in Soperton, Ga. He was the youngest of nine children. As young men, Hodges's older brothers willingly gave up the opportunity to further their education to help the family since their father passed, while allowing him to continue his education.
They were so proud of him and he never forgot their tremendous sacrifice. They would be devoted siblings to each other throughout life.
After Hodges completed high school in Soperton, he entered Fort Valley State College, now Fort Valley State University. His college experience was full and rewarding. He was a track and field high jumper and a drum major. He pledged Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. His academic achievements caught the attention of recruiters from Tuskegee Institute, now Tuskegee University, who came to Fort Valley in search of promising students for its veterinary medicine program. Hodges accepted Tuskegee's invitation and entered its School of Veterinary Medicine in 1954.
Soon after he arrived on Tuskegee's campus, a pretty Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. pledgee, Barbara Harrison, caught his eye.
Hodges completed his veterinary medicine degree at Tuskegee in 1958 and married Barbara that spring at her parents' home in Sylacauga, Ala. He then became a clinician at Tuskegee's Vet School, while he waited for his bride to graduate.
After her graduation, the couple moved to Frederick, Md., where Hodges began a research project involving anthrax at Fort Detrick Army Medical Command, the center of the U.S. biological weapons program. His investigative studies included work with research beagles and monkeys. Hodges created a technique to split the sternum of the research monkey, raise the chest wall to expose the internal organs, and close the chest while maintaining the life and health of the monkey. Word spread about his success and with disbelief, Army officials came to the lab to see if what they heard was true. Hodges was awarded the U.S. Army Commendation Medal for this important work. The open technique he developed is used today in human medicine for procedures such as heart bypass and transplant surgeries.
In the mid-1960s, Hodges and his wife, and their growing family, which now included two young sons, moved to Philadelphia. Their two other sons were born several years later.
In 1970, Hodges and his wife opened an animal hospital in the West Oak Lane section of Philadelphia and devoted the next three decades to building a practice that was a pillar in the community and a symbol of pride and achievement. He purchased a second veterinary hospital in Northeast Philadelphia, and for much of his professional career maintained a daunting six-day-a-week work schedule.
"An astute and successful businessman, Doc could have lived anywhere," his family said in tribute.
"However, he chose to stay in the predominantly African-American neighborhood where his presence would be an example for others to follow and where he could contribute to the community in very tangible ways."
When Hodges and his wife saw the need for a playground in the neighborhood, they decided to build one, which allowed hundreds of kids to be in a safe environment while playing basketball almost year-round. They would raise their children and worship in West Oak Lane.
Hodges was an active member of Corinthian Baptist Church where he served as a trustee and member of the Real Estate Committee.
His family said Hodges always displayed his affection for Tuskegee wherever he went and whatever he did. He was the treasurer of the Philadelphia Chapter of the National Alumni Association and traveled back to Tuskegee every year to participate in the veterinary medicine symposium.
Hodges influence and impact were significant. His family said because of him countless students graduated from Tuskegee, many young men pledged Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, teenagers had summer and after-school jobs that prepared them for the rigors of college and African-American children across the city believed that they too could become a veterinarian or own a business.
"The ultimate measure of a man is not his wealth, but his character. Doc was a man of character," his family said.
"His life orbited around Barbara and their sons, he had fierce loyalty to his community, and he reveled in the accomplishments of his children, grandchildren and those he mentored."
He was preceded in death by his wife.
He is survived by: his sons, Carlos, Ronald, Eric and Keith; daughters-in-law, Ardeth, Tyra, Kellyn and Suzanne; grandchildren, Danielle, Grant, Natalie, Nile, Paige, Cameron, Pierce, Kendall and Raya; brother, Brailford Hodge and sisters-in-law, Janice Harrison Moore, Cora Hodges and Phyllis Hodges.
Services were held Saturday at Bethlehem Baptist Church of Springhouse, 712 Penllyn Pike, Springhouse.
Contributor: 7 of 7 Georgia Peaches (48062810)
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