Kenneth M. Hodge, 78, a lifelong resident of Orange, passed away Wednesday, December 4, 2013, at Harbor Hospice in Beaumont.

Funeral services will be 10am, Saturday, December 7, 2013, at First Baptist Church in Deweyville. Officiating will be Reverend Damon Bickham and Reverend Lynn Ashcraft. A graveside service and burial will be 3:30pm, Saturday, at Cold Springs Cemetery in Garrison, Texas.

Visitation will be from 5pm to 8pm, Friday, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.

Born in Orange, Texas, on January 21, 1935, Kenneth was the son of Joseph Ernest Hodge and Eula Mae (Goodman) Hodge. While attending high school, Kenneth worked for the Orange Leader delivering newspapers, first on a bicycle and later a vehicle, to the Orange area including the Navy Base and Coopers Grocery. He then graduated from Lutcher Stark High School in 1954 and began working for Levingston Ship Building Co. and played softball on Levingston’s team. Kenneth worked for Allied Chemical Co. in Orange, Texas as a Maintenance Mechanic in 1956 and retired in 1990. After retirement, he owned and operated two businesses; Kenneth Hodge Christmas Tree Farm and Kenneth Hodge Live Oak Nursery.

Kenneth was an active member of North Orange Baptist Church for over 55 years; where he served as a Deacon and sung in the regular and Senior Adult choirs. Kenneth also enjoyed traveling with the North Orange Baptist Church Senior Adults across the United States and into Canada. He attended First Baptist Church in Deweyville where he participated in the regular choir and Christmas Musicals. He did mission work with North Orange Baptist Church, East Texas Baptist Family Ministries, and the Golden Triangle Baptist Boys Camp for troubled boys. Kenneth was a member of the Boy Scouts and coached Little League Baseball at Twin County Little League and the All Star teams.

Kenneth enjoyed his family vacations to Branson, Missouri, Florida, Colorado, Alaska, and Canada. His hobbies included fishing, hunting, and golfing with his son, grandson, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Lois Hodge Talbert; and brothers, Curtis Hodge, Hershel Hodge, Ernest Roy Hodge, Henry Hodge, and Johnny Hodge.

Kenneth is survived by his wife of 57 years, Verna Faye (Edwards) Hodge; father-in-law, Vernon Edwards; son Kenneth Wayne Hodge and wife, Kathy; daughter, Rhonda Kaye Hodge Shores and husband, Timothy; grandchildren, Melanie Hodge, Chris Hodge, and Macey Davidson; brother, Darrell T. Hodge; and sister, Emma Jean Keller.

Serving as pallbearers will be Chris Hodge, Dan Hodge, Hank Hodge, Lance Tiner, Timothy Shores, and Todd Edwards. Honorary pallbearers are Vernon Edwards, Bill Ernest, Burford Rector, Gordon Pace, Dickie Seago, and Gus Waits.