CHARLES "CHUCK" HODGES

CHARLES "CHUCK" HODGES

Nov. 3, 1941 - Apr. 19, 2012

Charles "Chuck" Hodges played the hand he was dealt; born November 3, 1941 and died April 19, 2012. He was known to many by several nicknames, such as Hard as Nails, Mirror Man, Chucky Cheese, Wimpy, Honey, Dad, and Pa Pa, but what he really loved was to crown a carefully chosen nickname on one of his many friends and relatives.
His love of gambling was well known, and he would bet on underwater basket weaving if there was a line on it. He was an accomplished craps player, and was considered "too skilled a player" and banned forever from a casino. He loved to take novice gamblers to Las Vegas and teach them how to, "throw the bones."
He was a product of the Wild West, born in Douglas, AZ, but raised in his family home in Yuma, AZ, coming from a distinguished line of founding pioneers of the Territory of Arizona. His great-grandparents were Frances M. Hodges and Francisca Ferra of La Paz, and Isaac Polhamus (the last steam boat Captain on the Colorado River) and Sacramento Sambrano of La Paz. His Grandfather, Peter Hodges (who was killed by an Indian), and Agnes Polhamus produced this gentle giant of a father, Isaac "Buster" Polhamus Hodges, who married Zola Cox, all of Yuma, Az. When Zola died, Buster married Evelyn Rasco. His ancestors were river boat captains, shop keepers, mine owners, cattle ranchers, sheriffs, saloon and hotel owners, and a state legislator.
Chuck received his primary education in El Centro, California, where friends knew him as the "Unofficial Mayor of Mexicali." Chuck then moved to Indio where he became the youngest manager of the Indio Bowling Alley. He bowled the first, league sanctioned 300-point game in Coachella Valley and over the years bowled four perfect games.
Chuck worked for Kaiser Steel at Eagle Mountain for 10 years before joining the sales department of Sun World International, a local produce farming and marketing company. Chuck's transition from mining steel to growing vegetables was a successful one; Chuck ended his career with Sun World as Senior Vice President of Sales. He then formed his own produce marketing company, C H Sales, in 1992. In 1993, C H Sales merged with Sun & Sands Enterprises to form Prime Time International and together they succeeded in becoming the largest grower of colored bell peppers in the United States.
His family and friends knew him to be generous, kind, and loving. His favorite saying was "Everyone's gotta live!" He would give a $100 tip to the shoe shine boy, waitress, or his favorite valet. He loved to drop a Franklin on the ground behind a homeless person and say "Sir, Sir you dropped this" leaving them their dignity, or buying the little old lady a bouquet of roses in the check out line.
He loved people! He delighted in giving them joy and sharing his wealth. His favorite game was being the consummate Host. If he allowed you to buy dinner, he always sprung for a special dessert; but be prepared for a charter flight to Vegas to enjoy that dessert.. His world was Camelot, and he made each person who entered feel like a Queen or King. He was known for his fondness of red wine and chili peppers. He always had peppers in his pocket, eating a pound a week with his food, and never leaving the country without his stash.
Apart from his professional life, Chuck was a member of the Palm Springs Men's Club and delighted taking their money in a friendly hand of poker. He served on the board of directors of the Well in the Desert and Pegasus Riding Academy. Among his many achievements, Chuck was selected in 2006 by California Women for Agriculture as "Agriculturalist of the Year" and in 2007, the Palm Springs Walk of Stars awarded Chuck and his wife Gayle with a star for their outstanding Humanitarianism and Entrepreneurs.
Chuck was an avid supporter of the Future Farmers of America and was a generous bidder at the Riverside County Fair Junior Livestock Auction for over 25 years, buying hundreds of animals and donating the meat to charity. He supported the YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs, Palm Canyon Theatre, Christian School of the Desert, Guide Dogs of the Desert, Angel View, and many other charities.
On the evening of his death, he was surrounded by his family and loved ones as he took his last breath, fighting his last round with cancer, and folding his last hand.
Chuck is survived by his loving wife, Gayle; sons, Chris Hodges of Morongo Valley, CA, James Hodges (Shannon), of Indio, CA; stepson, Rollo (Jenny Page) of Santa Rosa Beach, three step daughters, Kim Hodges of Morongo Valley, Margie Welch of Morongo Valley, and Lisa Hodges of Desert Hot Springs, CA; grandchildren, Kurysa, Jeremy, Nathan, James, Christen, Bryan, Sara, Sandra, and Alexis; sister, Ginger Mills (Aubrey) of Keremeos, B.C., Holly Williams of Peyton, CO, and brother David Storch of Tucson, AS; many nieces and nephews, and was preceded in death by his sister, Jenny Miller of Mesa, AZ, and parents Buster and Evelyn Hodges of Indio.
Chuck will always be remembered for his immense generosity. He gave freely to friend and stranger without ever needing thanks. Everyday of Chuck's life was truly better than the last. Chuck will be missed by his family, and the many friends, with whom he has shared a laugh, a bet, or offered a hand.
The family has requested in lieu of flowers, donations to be made to the Well in the Desert, PO Box 5312, Palm Springs, CA 92263 or Pegasus Riding Academy, 35450 Pegasus CT, Palm Desert, CA.
A Celebration of Life will be held on June 16, 2012 at the Cahuilla Ball Room from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa, 32-250 Bob Hope DR, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 Please call 760-262-1938 if attending.