ALONZO HODGSON JR.

Alonzo H Hodgson, Jr. was born on September 10, 1925 in DeKalb, Texas and passed away at 92 years old on August 9, 2018 in Longview, Texas. A lot happened in-between. H completed high school and joined the Navy at 17 years old during WWII. He served his county as a signalman on the U.S.S Lowndes, a military transport ship. His ship supported troops in Iwo Jima and Okinawa. During a time of leave, he met and proposed to Oneice Jessie Russell of DeKalb, Texas. After his discharge from the Navy, they married and moved to College Station for H to attend Texas A&M College on the GI Bill. He graduated in 3 1/2 years, because his allotment ran out, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering. H was a life-long ardent fan of Texas A&M football program. He went to work at the Atlanta, Texas Department of Highways and Public Transportation District 19 office and the family settled there. During H's time in Atlanta, he recommended and presented the proposal to establish the Highway District 19 Credit Union. A promotion with the Highway Department led the family to Texarkana. An important accomplishment during his time in Texarkana was leading the design and completion of 30 miles of the I30 corridor from Texarkana to New Boston. Part of that project was the cloverleaf access to I30 on State Line Avenue. After retirement in 1986, the fun really began. They traveled and camped with their RV friends and grandchildren. They eventually settled back in Atlanta at Fin & Feather Lake and hosted many family reunions and fish fry parties. The grandchildren loved to visit and drive Papa H's barge around the lake and fish off the pier. This was the summer vacation destination for the girls and their families. H was born to Alonzo Hugh Hodgson and Minda Kate Smith Hodgson. He was married to Oneice for 70 years. He is survived by his daughter Debbie and husband Jim Meehan of Davenport, Iowa and Susan and husband David LaBay of Hallsville, Texas. Grandchildren include Amanda and Steve Miller of Omaha, Nebraska, Amy and Kevin Kay of Davenport, Iowa, Matt and Sara Meehan of Davenport, Iowa, Jess LaBay and Bret LaBay of Hallsville, Texas. Great-grandchildren include Landon and Leah Miller, Sam, Cooper Alonzo, Nora, and Adam Meehan and George Kay. He is also survived by his brother Walker and Meg Hodgson of Austin and many nieces and nephews. Special friend Jim Buchanan came to Buckner to play cribbage with H every week. Danny and Lou LaBay and their children and grandchildren were also family to him. H was a Christian husband, father and friend. He taught Sunday School for many years and studied the Bible to be prepared for his lessons. He was a true gentleman and he loved his three girls most of all. Funeral services will be 10 am Monday at Hallsville First United Methodist Church with visitation starting at 9 am. Burial will be 2 pm at Chapelwood Memorial Gardens in Nash, Texas under direction of Rader Funeral Home.