THE LOVE OF MY LIFE

JAMES WALTER HODGE (Pete) (June 21, 1950 - August 13, 1999)

James was the 6th of 7 children born to Bill and Thelma Hodge. James and his twin brother, Walter, were born in Del Rio, Texas as the 6th and 7th children. The older children included 3 brothers and 2 sisters. James and Walter were lovingly given the nicknames "Pete" and Repete".

Pete graduated from Highlands High School in 1969 as a member of the Jr. ROTC.

James was loved by everyone knew him and he truly believed and practiced "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all"

I married Pete on May 27, 1987. At varying times in our twelve year marriage we had 3 to 5 of our 6 children living with us. Scott lived with us from 1987 to January, 1990, when he moved into his own apartment. Richard and Melissa both lived with us until after they graduated, which was 1994 and 1996. Frank came to live with us in 1989 and moved out on his own the first time in 1993. Michael came to live with us in 1992 and lived with us until 1997. Anita never lived with us, but was always welcome in our home.

You can bet with the ins and outs and our blended family that there were some rough times. When I look back, I can see the bad times, but the good times outshine them.

Pete had heart surgery in June,1989; August, 1991 and June, 1999. Pete should have in all truthfulness never come home from the hospital in June of 1999, but he did. He came home, he quietly put his life in order, never letting on to me that he did not feel that life would be long for him. I can look back now and see..he knew. You see on the last day of his life, he got up, showered, put on his clothes...he even talked about coming and having lunch with me. I called him at 11:00 to find out how he was, whether he was going to try to come have lunch with me. I even talked him out of coming to my office and going to lunch with me..he didn't want to disappoint me. The last thing I said to him was that I loved him and I would see him later and he told me he loved me. I look back now, he didn't tell me he would see me later...he always had before. I arrived home at 4:45 that afternoon and found my wonderful Pete had gone on to a better place. That was Friday, August 13, 1999. I thank God each day for the love that he gave me in the form of James Walter Hodge. I would not be the person I am today, had I not had him.

My Pete and Taylor - 1998

December, 1996 - Michael, Frank, Pete, Anita and Scott

Karen & Pete - June 1995

Pete dancing with our new daughter-in-law, June 10, 1995