Eugene Lewis Hodges III

Eugene “Geno” Hodges III was born in Santa Rosa, California on August 12, 1955, the oldest of four boys. He graduated from San Lorenzo High School in 1974, and the following January joined the United States Air Force. While stationed at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, he met the love of his life, Kathy Stevens–a woman with enough patience, humor, and heart to match his own.

Soon after marrying, the couple left the warmth of Texas for exotic Minot, North Dakota where Geno worked as a member of Security Police. In 1980, he began his training to become a Tail Gunner on the B-52 Stratofortress, the role he enjoyed most during his military service. He was later stationed as a Gunner at Dyess AFB in Abilene, Texas and Carswell AFB in Fort Worth. When the Gunner career field was eliminated in 1991, Geno became an Aerial Surveillance Technician on the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) and served at Tinker AFB in Midwest City, Oklahoma until the end of his 20-year military career in 1995.

After retiring from the Air Force, Geno joined Dana Corporation, working in various machinist positions before becoming a quality technician. When the Dana plant shut down, Geno returned to his roots in security work. His favorite post was the downtown Oklahoma City Public Library where he ensured patrons and staff alike were always safe and welcome.

Geno retired from security work in 2022 after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, a battle he faced with the same stubborn determination he applied to everything else in life. Even on the hardest days, he kept his humor, grit, and love for the people around him. Geno passed away on April 2, 2026, just shy of he and Kathy’s 51st wedding anniversary.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Eugene Hodges Jr. and Phyllis Linnell, who are no doubt welcoming him with open arms and a long list of questions.

He will be dearly missed by his wife, Kathy Hodges of Moore, Oklahoma; his son Eugene (Cindi) IV of Moore, Oklahoma; his daughter Amanda (Meta Partenheimer) of Ayer, Massachusetts; and his three brothers in California– Doug (Cathy), John (Alice), and Scott, who can all confirm that Geno’s talent for storytelling began early and never slowed down.

Geno leaves behind a legacy of service, humor, and steady love. His stories will be missed and his presence felt in every laugh and memory.

The family will hold a memorial service at a later date to honor Eugene’s life and legacy. May his memory bring comfort to all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers or a memorial tree, please consider making a donation to Friends of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.