Ronald Hodges

1938 - 2025 The previously indomitable Ronald R. Hodges passed away in his Los Lunas home on Sept. 25, 2025. Born in 1938, he was raised in Belen, NM, by his parents, Benny Lee and Mary Ellen Hodges, and his grandparents, Frank and Pearl Trainer. After being "encouraged" to end his studies at Belen High School early, Ron became a medic for the U.S. Marine Corps at 17. He later earned his bachelor's and master's degrees and became the principal of that same school, holding a soft spot for misunderstood troublemakers like himself. For this work, he was recognized as Administrator of the Year for the state of New Mexico. Ron also served at Belen High as a teacher and wrestling coach and as the superintendent for Belen Public Schools; he later led both Menaul School and Ruidoso High School as principal. His passion for education was developed in part by his many months spent in the VA hospital at age 23, where he almost died of tuberculosis. He spent that time reading, feeding the curiosity that used to get him in trouble, and decided to dedicate his life to working with young people to provide those same opportunities, but without the contagious disease part. Ron Hodges was a tough man, flawed and human, and generations of Belen residents have stories about both his benevolence and misdeeds. You are encouraged to share all of those stories. As an older man, he learned to laugh at himself, loving more and fighting less. Everyone should be lucky to live so long. Ron was preceded in death by his best friend and wife, Paula Kay (Garrett) Hodges, whom he met in the first grade; she passed 42 days before him. Surviving him to tell the tales are many he loved, and this list is incomplete: daughter Erin and husband Sean; son Joshua and wife Melissa; daughter Kourtney and husband Brawnson; son Sean, wife Micki and family. Adored grandchildren Madison and his other best friend, Theo. Ex-wife-turned-ride-or-die, Robin. Baby sis Sue Ellen and her husband Everett; kid brother Benny and his wife Mary Ellen; their children, and their children's children. Per his wishes, Ron will be interred at the Santa Fe National Cemetery along with his wife, Paula. A party in his honor will be held on Saturday, Oct. 11, in Belen. Contact your local Hodges for details and get those stories ready.