Alva Ray Hodson

Alva (Al) Ray Hodson of Cleveland, OK passed peacefully away on Monday, June 9, 2025, at the age of 87, while temporarily staying at the Baptist Village after losing everything in the March wildfire. Al was born March 25, 1938, in Skiatook, OK, the only child of Alva Marlow and Cynthia Josephine (Barber) Hodson. He grew up and attended school in Cleveland and Terlton, OK. At a young age he began mowing grass and began his own salvage, selling parts and scraping cars. Later he started his own welding business in Blackburn along with a cattle farm. He worked for numerous welding companies, retiring at the age of 80 from 798 Union Hall in Tulsa after 33 years. He traveled all over the world and on five continents. Welding was his passion, having done so for over sixty years, along with playing golf and watching football, with the OU SOONERS being his favorite team. Al loved his work and made an impact on the ones he worked with. Some have said he was the best welder they knew. He was a faithful member of the Cleveland First Assembly of God Church. Al was united in marriage to Alice Marie Prill on November 2, 2013 in Cleveland.

Those that survive and hold many cherished memories include his wife Alice Marie of the home; 3 sons, 4 daughters, 30 grandchildren, 41 great grandchildren and 7 great great grandchildren with one on the way. Preceding him in death were his parents, sons - Billy and Bobby, one grandchild, two great grandchildren and two wives.

Visitation for Al will be from 1pm to 7pm on Thursday, June 12th at the Chapman-Black Funeral Home, Cleveland. Funeral services will be at 2:00 PM on Friday, June 13th in the sanctuary of the First Assembly of God Church, Cleveland with Pastors Dan Edens and Cody Davis officiating. Burial will follow at the Sinnett Cemetery, southeast of Cleveland.

The family would like to express their appreciation to Complete Hospice for helping take care of Al; to Alice Marie's friend Cathy for being there and helping with Al and to Shiloh's Restaurant for catering the funeral dinner.

Arrangements and services were entrusted to the Chapman-Black Funeral Home of Cleveland. www.chapman-black.com