I met Brad when he started dating Natalie.  He was 20 years old and she was 18 years old. 
Even then he always had a fresh haircut and the coolest shirts.  Brad was a hard worker and always there to help.
Brad was pretty funny too.   I remember after he and Natalie had to spend “a few days” in the hospital waiting for Hannah to be born, he still had a sense of humor.  I said “ Wow, this room looks like a hotel”.  He responded right away with 
“Yeah, a hotel you can never leave”.  Everyone in the room could not stop laughing.

I will miss that funny sense of humor and his big smile.  Rest in peace Brad

With love,
Debra

I have know Brad and his brothers for a very long time. We all rode together to homecoming Brads freshman year,  We had a limo full. Lol It was a great time. Brad was always smiling and happy to see his old friends.He will be truly missed. 
Rip Brad rest easy.

Brad was the best neighbor and friend to my Mom, Mary Gray, that anyone could ask for.  He was there for her 24/7.  He did everything from removing baby squirrels from a tree (THAT traumatized him!), taking out her garbage every week, lighting up her yard, making sure she had enough water on her grass, and hundreds of other kind acts.  He never expected anything in return and was so grateful for the smallest thing you did for him.  I don’t believe Brad ever met a stranger and he was truly one of the “busiest” people I have ever met! As a frequent visitor next door, I would frequently shake my head and tell Brad he needed to relax and rest.  He was ALWAYS outside, could fix anything and always seemed to have a project going on in addition to his regular “schedule” of washing vehicles and working in his lawn (that grass had to be mowed diagonally and in a uniform manner!).  Somehow, he managed to make all that work look FUN.  It was clear being a Dad and spending time with his family were his biggest joys in life..  I will never forget the care and kindness Brad showed my Mom.  We will always be here for you Natalie and Hannah.  Please know that Brad was cherished, loved, and appreciated.

I remember Brad as a strong, proud kid that grew up into a proud husband and father. My best memories of Brad were in middle school and early in high school watching him DOMINATE on the basketball courts with grown man strength. Already had a beard and  chest hair while I still had a high pitched voice. Those are the memories I'll keep with me.

Brad, 
I will miss you my man. I know we haven’t seen each other much in the last few years, but we we’d connect it was like there wasn’t a beat missed. I have so many memories with you, but the thing I Will remember most, is your optimism and your laugh. I can’t remember you being in a bad mood, your laugh would make make me smile in itself. Love you bro and we will see each other again.

Brad and I go back to middle school at Conway. Always the life of the party compassionate father and husband to his girls! Not a person I know that didn't love his energy went he walked through the door! My heart hurts for everyone who was lucky enough to know him. Prayers from my family to yours Natalie, if there's anything we can do please let us know ! It may have been a while since we hung, but we have countless memories working together for a couple years and all the parties we through!! Love you bro, untill we meet again homie❤️🙏

I don't remember a time that I was around Brad that he wasn't smiling .  I remember complimenting him on how great his yard looked once and his face lit up. So proud of the work he put it.  Such a loveable guy.

I met Brad when he and Natalie first started dating, so over 20 years ago now.  What I’ll miss most about him is his laugh and his happy go lucky personality.  I don’t think Brad ever met a stranger, he could find commonality and something to talk about with anyone.  He had a child like excitement about life, that would somehow make you just excited about whatever it was he was talking about, even your lawn maintenance needs.  He was a good person and a great dad, and he will be missed.  ❤️

I met Brad when I was about 16 years old at Boone High School. We hung out with the same group and had so many fun memories growing up. Then he started dating one of my good friends, Natalie. I got to watch them grow together as a family and saw him often. He will be deeply missed by so many.

Uncle Brad was like a second father to me. He was there for me and hung around almost as much as my father did. I spent many hours and weekends with him. I picked this picture because the trips to St Augustine are days I’ll never forget. Waking up in the hotel room side by side from Natalie, Raelin, and him. I don’t have a favorite memory of him. He was the kind of person you just had to be around to know how good of a person and father he was. He always made me laugh always made me smile and I like to think everyone had that same effect on him. He taught me a lot of what I know about basketball and sports. Brad was one of the strongest people I know inside and out. I remember one time he was teaching me about boxing people out in the paint because I was getting ready to play basketball for my schools team. And I didn’t really understand the importance of being a big man in basketball until he very quickly humbled me and knocked me to the ground. And I haven’t seen that strength from my own dad who is just as big as him. I got up shocked and quickly began to listen and follow his every move. I like to think I wouldn’t be as athletic and competitive as he was if it weren’t for him. Brad was and forever will be my uncle. I’d do almost anything to relive the memories I have with him.

I hold a special place in my heart Brad. When I moved to Florida from Kentucky you were the first person I met who shared my passion for basketball and had a Kentucky connection.  Brad was always welcoming from the first time we met and his easygoing nature made me feel at home. Rest easy my friend.

I met Brad when I was 12, I loved how much fun he was and how he would play N64 with me and throw the ball with me in the pool. He was the big brother who was protective of me and didn't love the thought of me dating, ha! I have countless memories with Brad, how generous he was to his girls,  the 7-11 trips, and watching him become a dad. This picture was one that I still laugh at to this day, it was the first "real" meal in the hospital...they brought him the biggest spoon to eat with and he kept talking about it (he ordered a hamburger). We couldn't stop laughing...Brad, you are more loved than any of our words could ever say, thank you for sharing your heart with us.

My dad Bradley Hodges was an important part of my life. He was always there for me from birthday parties to when I needed a shoulder to cry on.Brad was such a fun and protective dad over me and Hannah. I picked this photo because he was wearing his favorite type of Nike slides . Almost every year for Christmas he would get me some type of nike shoes lol. (His favorite brand) . Some memories that I will hold dear to me are our beach trips, family dinners & old town. I remember sitting outside the pool deck with him and just talking about anything and everything with him. I will always be your little girl , thank you for being there for 19 years of my life . I love you dad .

In 2006 I was introduced to my boyfriends (now husband) twin brother. I go, wait he's your twin? He looks more like your body guard! Brad towered over Alan, even towered over me, gave me the biggest hug and I felt part of the family already! 
Fast forward to 2013, Alan and my wedding, the wrong vest size got sent for Brad, Alan said he put it on and the whole room burst into laughter! Too short, buttons didn't come close! "It's fine, it's fine" Brad said, "I'll just do this!" And he proceeded to stuff the tiny vest underneath his tux jacket and assured Alan he wouldn't unbutton the jacket until advised he could do so!! Brad, you were a breath of fresh air, a brother in law I could never forget.  Thank you for being Alan's built in best friend his whole life. I'll take him from here 💛

I don’t think I can ever choose just one favorite memory of Brad…but I will say what I enjoyed most was watching him be a Dad. His girls were his world (including me). I think the memory that stands out most to me though is that while I was pregnant with Hannah he would talk to her every night. Always about different things, like she was already here and ready to talk back. The very first night in our room after we got settled I was holding Hannah and Brad started talking. She couldn’t have been more than 6 hours old and she immediately lifted her head and turned towards him. The look on his face was priceless and I will never forget it. I know he is with me daily, whether I like it or not. 

One of my favorite memories of Brad is from one of our many game nights. Brad leaned against the wall, like he was exhausted , flapping the back of his shirt like he was hot, to play out his game card.  We all took our best guess as sand from the game timer poured through the hour glass. Hot! Tired! Sweaty! (He motioned to keep guessing) time ran out and we find out he was acting out HURRICANE! We all laughed so hard we got cramps. So..... he wasn't the best actor, but he loved hard, his loyalty for family was unmatched, and the memories he left behind will forever be cherished. We love and miss you Brad!!



OBITUARY

Bradley Justin Hodges

21 September, 1983 – 11 August, 2023

Baldwin Fairchild at Chapel Hill

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