Donald Gregory Hodges

Don Hodges was born on July 14, 1959—sharing a birthday with his daughter's great-grandmother—and passed away on August 10, 2026, the same date Rachel's grandmother passed, in Palm Coast, Florida. He worked as a commercial building/consolidated engineer, certified in the safety and maintenance of the systems that kept commercial buildings running.

Don was, in the best possible way, a character—a true showman. At his own wedding, young and full of flair, he wore a top hat and carried a cane, prompting one guest to ask, only half-joking, whether that was typical wedding attire. It was not. That was just Don. He had a habit of latching onto whatever word was trendy at the moment and running it completely into the ground—a quirk his family still laughs about. He was also passionately temperamental—if you knew Don, you know exactly what that means, right down to the cartoon-steam-out-of-the-ears, red-faced fury. It became more comedy than conflict over the years, and honestly, some of the best stories. But underneath it was a man who loved with his entire heart, and to Don, family was not only about blood. If you were loved by him, you were family.

That showed up every summer on the family's trips to Virginia Beach, where his daughter, Rachel, was always welcome to bring friends along, and where the whole crew—including his beloved sister, Treva (who lived there with her husband and Rachel's cousins through her childhood)—would gather for big, loud family dinners. Back home, he threw pool parties and cookouts and never did anything halfway. Nothing brought Don more pride than being a grandfather. Dylan was his world, and he loved him wholeheartedly. Dylan and his grandpa loved to fish and spend time outdoors together.

Don was an outdoorsman through and through—hunting, fishing, and taking any excuse to be in the mountains or at the beach. He taught Rachel to swim and to hold her own against ocean waves long before she was probably old enough for it, a memory she still carries with her. Don was married to Rachel's mother for 14 years and remained close to family through the relationships that followed, including one he was in at the time of his passing.

He is survived by his daughter, Rachel, his only child, and his grandson, his only grandchild—both of whom he loved fiercely. Survived by his daughter, Rachel Hodges; his grandson, Dylan Hodges; his sister, Betty Dabbs; his former spouse, Ginny Perrine Hodges; and several nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews. Preceded in death by his parents, Emily Sparkman and Kenneth Hodges; his sisters, Treva Jones, Dottie Hodges, and Barbara Doonis; his brother-in-law, John Jones; and Jane and Larry Perrine, his in-laws, whom he considered like parents of his own. He is also both survived and preceded in death by numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins—some who remain to cherish his memory, and others who welcomed him home before him.

Don will be remembered for his big heart, his bigger temper, his showmanship, and the singular, unforgettable way he brought people together.

We invite family and friends to share their favorite stories, messages, and photos of Don on this memorial page. Whether it is a story you have told a hundred times or one you have never shared, we would love to have it as part of his story. For those who would like to help support the family during this time, donations can be made here on LoveKept. If you would like to donate, the money will go toward the Celebration of Life. Every gift, big or small, helps us celebrate Don's life the way he would have wanted—loudly, generously, and surrounded by the people he loved.