Henry Latham Hodges, Jr. (Rusty) | Eastern NC Now

    Henry Latham Hodges, Jr. (Rusty) was born on December 21, 1941 in Washington, North Carolina. He graduated from Washington High School in 1959. He spent one year of prep school at Castle Heights Military Academy in Lebanon, Tennessee. After graduation from Castle Heights, Rusty was awarded a four-year football scholarship to the University of North Carolina. He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and a loyal Tar Heel for the remainder of his life.

    Following graduation from UNC, Rusty attended US Navy Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island and went on to serve in Vietnam from 1967-1968. He was awarded the Navy Commendation medal.

    Upon returning from Vietnam, Rusty married Ann Fontaine Greene in August 1968 and they settled in Columbia, South Carolina where he was an instructor in the Naval ROTC program at the University of South Carolina.

    In 1969, Rusty accepted a position with Coty, Inc., which brought him to Sanford, NC in 1976. Rusty continued with Coty, Inc. until his retirement in 1998. Rusty was an active member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church. He also was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Sanford where he served as local President as well as state Lt. Governor. He was very active in coaching youth sports, organizing Fourth of July events at Westlake Pool, and playing Santa Claus to countless children in the community.

    Henry L. Hodges is survived by his wife Ann, his son Henry L. Hodges, III (Hank) and wife Ashley of Charlotte and his daughter Katherine Hodges Harris (Katie) and husband Buck of Sanford. He also leaves four grandchildren, Jackson Blount Hodges, Wyatt Pressley Hodges, Katherine Eileen Hodges (Kylie), Katherine Harding Harris (Kack), and one sister, Katherine Hodges Hall of Washington, NC. Mr. Hodges was preceded in death by his parents, Henry L. Hodges Sr. and Katherine Harding Hodges (Kack). The family is especially appreciative of the loving care Rusty received from Priscilla A. Goldston.

    Committal of ashes will take place Tuesday, June 3rd at 9:30 am at the Buffalo Presbyterian Church cemetery. The funeral service will follow at 10:30 am at St. Thomas Episcopal Church. The family will receive friends after the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Thomas Episcopal Church or the Kiwanis Club of Sanford.

    Online Condolences may be made at www.rogerspickard.com.

    Arrangements are by Rogers-Pickard Funeral Home.