C Dell Hodge

C. Dell Hodge Jr. was born April 5, 1950 in Kingsville, TX. to C. Dell Hodge Sr. and Pauline Hodge (Anderson). He was the 5 th child of 8 siblings and the baby boy of the family.

C. Dell accepted God at an early age and was a life-long member of King Star Baptist Church.

C. Dell, affectionately known as Chubby, matriculated through the Kingsville school system beginning at the historic segregated Frederick Douglas School. He was a stand out basketball player and proud graduate of H.M. King High School. As a result of his prowess on the basketball court, Chubby caught the attention of the Texas A&l University basketball coaching staff. He was heavily recruited and attended the university playing basketball and majoring in Business. After leaving Texas A&l, Chubby married his high school sweetheart Vera Hodge (Bonner) with whom he had his first daughter Pamelia and began working at Missouri Pacific Railroad where he had an illustrious and well respected career for over 20 years. After divorcing, he later met and was preceded in death by Patsy Brown, the mother of his second daughter Cherlyn. Upon retiring from the railroad Chubby owned and ran "Chubby's Hot Shot" a successful transportation service. He became frustrated that he could not understand the legal jargon, so in true Chubby fashion; he enrolled in Houston Community College where he earned his Applied Sciences degree with specialization in Legal Assistant Technology. While enrolled in HCC, Chubby not only graduated with honors, but also received many accolades and recognition for making the Deans list and graduated with a GPA of 3.5!!! Once he graduated, Chubby started a new chapter in life and began a new career with the Attorney Generals office. He worked tirelessly for many years assisting families in finding common ground in regards to financial and custodial responsibility for shared children.

In his personal life, Chubby enjoyed a loving relationship with Raye Jean Thompson for many years and gained his son, Kenwick Thompson, Chubby lived life on his own terms.

He was loved and respected by many until the day he transitioned to be with the Lord. He was best known for the laughing, sometimes flirtatious twinkle in his eye, firing up the pit to feed family and friends alike and being the LIFE of the party!! Chubby was happiest surrounded by people he loved and who loved him, listening to good music, dancing and making an example of anyone who challenged him on the pool or domino table.

Chubby was preceded in death by his father, C. Dell Hodge Sr., his mother Pauline Hodge, two brothers Don Hodge and Willie Richard, two sisters Earla Jean Watkins and Lilla Jewel Hodge. Chubby leaves to cherish his memory and continue his legacy two daughters Pamelia Ealy (Emmanuel) and Cherlyn Hodge (April), one son Kenwick Thompson, two sisters Madaline Caraway and Cynthia Hodge, one brother Ret. Col. Henry (Butch) Hodge (Mary), six grand children, eight great grand children and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.