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Harold Hodgson Obituary
Mr. Hodgson was born July 24, 1925 in Athens, Ga. to the late Dr. Harold Bishop Hodgson Sr. and Louise Hudson Hodgson. He was preceded in death by daughter, Lynn Hodgson Duke and brother, James Marion Hodgson Sr.
He was a 1942 graduate of Athens High School, and later served as a Hospital Corpsman in the U.S. Naval Reserve during World War II from 1944-1946. After military service he attended the University of Georgia School of Pharmacy where he earned a B.S. in Pharmacy in 1948. After becoming a licensed pharmacist in the state of Georgia, Mr. Hodgson worked at several pharmacies including Moon-Winn Drug Company of Athens and Watson's Drugs of Athens, which he later purchased and established as Hodgson's Pharmacy, Inc.
During Mr. Hodgson's pharmaceutical career, he was a member of many professional organizations. He served two terms as president of R.C. Wilson Pharmaceutical Association and the 10th District Georgia Pharmaceutical Association. He also served as president for the Georgia Pharmaceutical Association, the GPhA Academy of Preceptors in Pharmacy, as well as the Georgia Board of Pharmacy. Mr. Hodgson was a three time director of GPhA Board of Directors, as well as a member of the GPhA Pharmacy Insurance Trust, APhA Academy of Pharmacy Practice, National Federation of Independent Business, the UGA College of Pharmacy Dean's Alumni Advisory Council, and the Hoffman LaRoche Pharmacy Advisory Committee.
Mr. Hodgson achieved many awards during his career. His awards included the Mal T. Anderson Award for Outstanding District President of GPhA, the A.H. Robins-Bowl of Hygea Outstanding Community Service on Pharmacy, Phi Delta Chi Outstanding Community Service in Pharmacy, the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the UGA College of Pharmacy, the WGAU "Tip of the Hat" Appreciation of Significant Service to the Community, the UGA College of Pharmacy Preceptor of the Year, the Syntex National Preceptor of the Year, the GPhA Carlton Henderson Award, the Arch Award from the Athens Chapter of Community Betterment, and the GPha Larry Braden Meritorious Award.
Mr. Hodgson was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, as well as the following civic organizations: the Athens Touchdown Club, the University of Georgia Coliseum Club, the Five Points Merchants Association, the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the Ten-O-Club. He was a former member of Rotary International and a life member of the Optimist Club. He also served as a Deacon and Elder for First Presbyterian Church in Athens.
Mr. Hodgson was an avid Georgia fan, attending almost every football game, home and away, during his younger years. He also enjoyed following the Georgia Gym Dawgs. He enjoyed traveling with his family, driving across the U.S. in his motor home. Other favorite pastimes included raising horses and bowling with the Hodgson Pill Rollers.
Mr. Hodgson is survived by his wife of 59 years, Ruby Thomas Hodgson; son, Harold "Hal" (wife Gisela) B. Hodgson, III; sister, Allene Hodgson Dyer; grandchildren, Sara (husband Gig) Roper, Harold "Beau" (wife Jamie) B. Hodgson, IV, and Cynthia Lynn Hodgson; and great-granddaughter, Reagan Abigail Roper.
Visitation will be held at Bernstein Funeral Home, 3195 Atlanta Hwy, Athens, on Sunday, March 2nd from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. and from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. A memorial service will be held Monday, March 3rd at 2 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church. Dr. W. Glenn Doak Jr. will be officiating. Interment will be in Oconee Hill Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Andy Ullrich, Mack Lowrey, Jim Horton, Bill Horton, Wayne Edwards, Sonny Thurmond, Joe Arp, and Beau Hodgson. Members of the Georgia Pharmaceutical Association will be honorary pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Athens, Building Fund, or to your favorite charity.
Bernstein Funeral home is in charge of arrangements. www.bernsteinfuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Harold Hodgson
Bob Strickland
February 22, 2009
Dear Ruby and Family,
I just now heard of Hal's passing. When I was a graduate student at UGA, I bowled in Hal's league at Beechwood -- around 1967 - 1969. My mother and I visited the pharmacy often, and I remember traveling to the 250 Classic in Augusta together. Hal was a genuine and marvelous friend to all, and I am very sorry for such a loss. He deserved all of the love that you and the family gave him. God bless you in this terribly sad time.
Fae (Sissy Epting) Davidson
March 14, 2008
Dear Hodgson Family:
I send my sympathy to you at the passing of your Dad - a man who has been a beloved part of Old Athens and cherished by so very many people there.
Our family has a precious memory of your Dad that is at the heart of our parents' marriage, Gene & Frances Epting. Our parents met on a blind date on Christmas Eve of 1930 when our mother was visiting a cousin in Athens for Christmas. That night Gene Epting had a Whitman's Sampler under his arm for his date, Frances Thomas. It then took him 9 years to get her out of Texas to Athens but from their first Christmas Eve in 1939 until their last Christmas Eve together in 1992 our Dad came to Hodgson's to purchase a Whitman's Sampler from your Dad for her every year except, probably, during WWII when he was in the Navy. Only your Dad would have known if Gene managed to get one to Frances during those years. Dad died in September 1993 and then Mom died 3 months later on December 21. As people came to the house to see us so many came in the door saying, "I'm so sorry this happened at Christmas." We appreciated the thought but told each one, "No. It's perfect. She had to get to heaven to get her Whitman's Sampler" and would then share the story. More of the story came when our lifelong next-door neighbor on Milledge Heights, Mary Lil Fortson, was talking with your Dad about the Epting Whitman's Sampler tradition. He told her that Russell Stover had bought out Whitman's in 1992 and that no Whitman's Samplers were even made that one Christmas. What a disappointment that would have been to our whole family if our Dad couldn't have gotten one for Mom that year. Over the next 4 months of cleaning out the 318 Milledge Heights house Whitman's Sampler boxes were found EVERYWHERE storing all kinds of assorted things. But then we had always known they were everywhere as over 50 of them had been delivered to Mom from Dad over all those years. A few months later, at our wedding here in Crested Butte in June of 1994, I had miniature Whitman's Sampler boxes waiting on my 3 siblings seats (Jean, Angie, Al) as well as on my cousin's seat, Lee Epting. The little Samplers had a note attached to each one saying, "Mom and Dad really are here." When I purchased those miniatures at a Russell Stover's outlet near here in Montrose, Colorado I asked about the story of Whitman's Samplers not being made for the Christmas 6 months before. They said the same thing as your Dad - but then I knew they would because your Dad was someone we trusted all of our lives.
Another fond memory is that for years my Athens childhood friends have told me that they would always try to be in my Mother's car for field trips and carpools because she would always take us by Hodgson's for an ice cream cone afterwards. I think they were a nickel back then. There are way too many other memories of your Dad and Hodgson's to count. With the February 9th passing of Grace Waters and now Harold Hodgson, Five Points and Athens are seeing more of the end of a precious era that so many of us treasure.
I just shared with my husband, Al (Trapper), that I was sending this to you this morning and he asked me to add that going to Hodgson's for an ice cream cone has been one of his favorite things to do when we've visited there. "And it cost us all of two bits," he just said (he's an Old West Kansas guy). He definitely remembers meeting your Dad there.
Becky (Lasitter) Hager
March 11, 2008
Dear Hal, Mrs. Ruby, Gisela, Beau & everyone else,
I just found out and am shocked and saddened. Doc was one of a kind, a truly wonderful man. I have such fond memories of the days I spent working at the pharmacy. Many include him. I have always found comfort in knowing that he was part of this world. May the Lord hold you and keep all of you in the palm of His hand. You are most definitely in my prayers.
Kenzie Bates
March 10, 2008
Beau,
I am so sorry for the loss of your grandfather. He was a wonderful man. Please know that you are in my thoughts sweetheart.
Lisa (Wiebe) Audino
March 9, 2008
40 Years of memories, where do you start? When we moved to 5 Points I was 6. You have watched me grow-up, get married, have children and then watched them grow-up as well. Thank-you for everything you did for my family. Every kind word, thought or gesture. You were 1 of a kind and will be greatly missed.
Hal - to you, your Mom, Gisela and family, I send my deepest condolence. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Gail (Carter) Dendy
March 6, 2008
Dear Ruby, We have many cherished memories of the friendship and years of kindness and care that you and 'Doc' shared with my parents. They loved him and they loved you. May you and your family find comfort and peace in this time of great loss.
Betsy Arrington-Tsao
March 5, 2008
We are so sorry to hear of Harold's passing. Know that our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of grief.
Owen Scott
March 4, 2008
Many of us will always be able to go back as far as memory carries us and remember Mr. Hodgson being the neighborhood pharmacist right out of a Norman Rockwell painting. Hal, Gisela and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Owen Scott, III and family
Sharon Deason
March 4, 2008
I will miss seeing him at the GPHA conventions. He was a great man and a true inspiration to all pharmacists.
March 4, 2008
Hal & Gisela and family,
We are so sorry for your loss as well as the community's loss-"Doc" was truly an icon & will be greatly missed--
You all are in our thoughts and prayers--
Our deepest sympathies,
Lynda & Carlton Powell
Blount Heating & Air Blount Heating & Air
March 4, 2008
We at Blount Heating & Air sends our Prayers. He will be miss. A lot of us here remember him as The Man.
Our prayers go out to all of you.
Blount Heating & Air
tucker blount
March 4, 2008
Ruby & Hal,
We will truly miss him. He was a big part of the 5 point community and our lives.The memories of just seeing him with a big smile when we came in the store will be missed. If need anything please let us know. Tucker & Chris Blount
Lucy Bedell and Family
March 3, 2008
Our deepest sympathies and prayers to Ruby, Hal and the entire Hodgson family. I met "Doc" when I came to UGA in 1976. I needed a good pharmacy and was lucky enough to find one with a hometown feel and the ice cream was an added bonus. "Doc" was always friendly, quick witted and willing to help and give advice if needed. We are saddened by his death and will keep your family in our prayers.
james Jefferson
March 3, 2008
In My Pocket
I have memories in my pocket.
They rattle among the change.
My memories of you are treasures I carry wherever I go.
They are stored in bits and pieces, parts of a beautiful whole
They give me comfort when I think I am alone.
Yes, I have memories in my pocket, like so much other stuff I keep there.
But of all the treasures I have, it’s the memories of you that are the most precious.
SUSAN CASPER
March 3, 2008
RUBY & HAL,
WE WILL ALL MISS DOC, I CHEERISH THE MEMORY'S OF AS A CHILD AND THE FLOATS & ICE CREAM HE WOULD MAKE ME. HE WILL TRULY BE MISS BY ALL OF THE MARLOWS FAMILY. OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU ALL.
Rebecca Owens
March 3, 2008
Hal, I just read of your dad's death. I am so sorry for you and all of your family. I loved your dad and looked forward to seeing you both when I came home to visit.
Dr. William Ozburn
March 3, 2008
I am deeply sorry for your loss. He was a fine man and you and your family are in my prayers.
cindy stack
March 3, 2008
Our family just got to know "Doc" over the past 2 years with our daughter being on the gym team....we appreciate all his enthusiam and support of the team. I always looked forward to seeing his happy face at the meets. He will be missed.
Cindy and Paul Stack
Bette LeMaster
March 3, 2008
All of you have our deepest sympathy. Clyde & Bette LeMaster ( Dallas' Grandparents) Sylvania, Ga.
Regena Banks
March 3, 2008
May the memories of this wonderful "Doc" bring many blessings and brighter days. He was cherished as a member of GPhA and as a friend to all.
Robert McAlpine, Jr.
March 3, 2008
Ruby, Hal I learned of Doc Hodgson's passing earlier today. I'm so sorry for your loss. Yours, ours and the communities. Some of my fondest memories are from my visits to Hodgson's especially after church when he would let Hal and me in for a treat. Our prayers are with you.
Bob & Lorena McAlpine
March 2, 2008
So sorry to hear about Harold...We have a lot of good memories of our Athens days and the long friendship with all of you. Even if Bobby was watching TV at your house when we were searching the city for him! Woodrow Street was a good time in our lives though at times we didn't think so. Our love to all...
Nancy Appel
March 2, 2008
I'm very sorry to hear of Harold's passing. I knew him while I worked at GPhA. I was there for 19 years. He was always so nice and gentlemanly. I pray that he is resting in God's hands. Nancy Appel Grayson, GA.
Beverly Sears
March 2, 2008
Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.
James A. (Son of the late Louise Hodgson Hines) Hines, III
March 2, 2008
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well-lived.
Gail B. Miles
March 2, 2008
We were so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow. "Doc" was a special person to me as he offered me my first full time job after high school and I enjoyed working for him all of those years. My girls looked forward to stopping by Hodgson's to see Doc on our visits to Athens.
Ed, Gail, Ashley, and Meredith Miles
Bob Stephenson
March 2, 2008
My sincerest condolences.
Jack & Marie Bishop
March 2, 2008
We were friends and customers of "Doc" for 45 years. He will be greatly missed by the community. To his family may God comfort and keep you in this time of sorrow.
Doc Eldridge
March 2, 2008
A "Prince of a guy" and an Athens icon. There is a void in our community. We will all miss him.
James & Nancy Miller
March 2, 2008
Ruby, Hal and families, We are in AZ and were deeply saddened to read about Harold's death. Harold has taken care of our family for over 50 years. He was a wonderful, professional pharmacist but also a caring friend. We will miss him. Our hearts and prayers are with you. Sincerely, James & Nancy Miller
Art Rauschenberg
March 2, 2008
What a wonderful man. He will truly be missed.You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Christy Phillips-Malcom
March 2, 2008
I was so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.
Bernstein Funeral Home
March 2, 2008
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
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