Elmer Ralph Hodgin

GREENSBORO, N.C. - Elmer "Ralph" Hodgin, 96, died at 9 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2011 at the Hospice Home in Burlington.
Ralph Hodgin was born in Guilford County, N.C., on Feb. 10, 1915.
As a young man, Ralph directed his considerable athletic talents to baseball, ultimately rising to the ranks of a major league baseball player. Prior to his death, Ralph was the oldest former White Sox player and the fourth oldest former major league player. Ralph competed at practically all levels of baseball from high school, through semipro ball, the minor leagues, and the major leagues. He was justly proud to have batted over .300 for at least one season at every level.
Ralph first entered the major leagues in 1939, joining the Boston Bees under manager Casey Stengel. The Chicago White Sox added Ralph to their roster in 1943, and he remained with them, except for a year of military service near the end of World War II, until the end of the 1948 season. As #25, he played left field and third base for the White Sox. His major league career was marked by an outstandingly low strike-out percentage, averaging less than four strike-outs for every 100 times at bat.
After his major league career, Ralph had three very successful seasons with the Sacramento Solons of the Pacific Coast League. He continued playing and managing baseball in the minor leagues, and led the Reidsville Luckies to the Carolina League championship as their player-manager in 1952.
Ralph's retirement years were wrapped in family, friends, and fellowship. His modesty, friendliness, and graciousness were his greatest traits. Ralph made baseball better and those who knew him better through his great character. He never feared a high inside pitch nor what life might offer. His is an example of a life well lived, and all who knew him will miss him greatly. He was a member of Muir's United Methodist Church in Greensboro for many years.
Ralph is survived by his loving daughters Patsy Michael of Gibsonville and Doris Patrick and husband Graham of Tallahassee, Fla.; grandchildren, Brian Michael and wife Cameron of Elon, Adam Michael of Gibsonville, Gray Patrick and wife Jennifer of Baltimore, Md., and Elizabeth Thomas and husband Eric of Tallahassee; and great-grandchildren, Landon Michael of Gibsonville, Kylie Michael of Gibsonville, and Spencer Thomas of Tallahassee. Also surviving are sister-in-law Rozette Huckabee and brothers-in-law Raymond (Pete) Huckabee and Ralph Osborne, all of Greensboro; a host of nieces and nephews and special friend Mary Lynn Neal.
He was preceded in death by wife Frances, daughter Teresa, son-in-law David Michael, grandson Chris Michael, parents David and Roxanne Hodgin, brothers Ray and Roy Hodgin, and sisters Eula Sullivan, Violet Sullivan, Vera Hudson, and Ila Osborne.
The family will receive friends at Forbis & Dick Funeral Home on West Friendly Avenue in Greensboro from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 7.
A graveside service will be conducted by the Rev. Randy Huckabee at Guilford Memorial Park on Saturday, Oct. 8 at 11 a.m.
Memorials may be directed to Hospice Home and Pallative Care of Alamance – Caswell, 918 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington, N.C. 27215.
Online condolences may be made to www.mcclurefuneralservice.net.