Kenneth Brownlee Hodge

Born July 30, 1933 Jersey City, New Jersey. His fathers job took him to many different cities. They ended up in Chicago. Ken attended several colleges including New York University,& University of Minnesota, and his favorite University of Michigan which he followed the Michigan Wolverines football team every year. He got to see a game at the ‘Big House.’

He majored in Automotive Design, Psychology and marketing. He was a United State Army inductee, release as spec 3 after 2 years service 1956-1958. Worked most of this time in machine records unit as coordinator between data research section and IBM department. Initiated records control system still in use years after.

Prior to induction - management trainee at Market Research Corporation of America. Concurrent with military service started work with Fred Harvey Restaurants. Made decision to follow long time desire to enter automotive field. Moved to Dallas. Went with Van Winkle Motor Company as new/use Mercedes Benz salesman. (1960) Was top Mercedes Benz salesman at time of resignation. He has been selling cars every since and retired from Star Motor Cars after 40 years of dedicated service. He earned multiple awards and gifts. He was invited to visit Germany a few times being in charge of the overseas distribution.

Ken married his high school sweetheart Dorothy and together they had three children: Chuck, Sue and Holly. Worked in restaurant business in Chicago until 1960 when he “wised up” and moved to Texas to follow a long time desire of his to enter the automotive field by selling cars. He moved to Dallas he joined Sports Car Club of America. He became part of races by volunteering his services in many ways. He made many new friendships including Linda and her three children: Sheri, Jim and Blake, who later became his second wife bringing the number of children in the family to six.

His career brought Him to Houston as GSM of Diamond Autos in 1970. The family grew with the addition of twin girls: Kimberly and Keli increasing the number of children to 8. That same year he started working with Star Motor Cars again selling Mercedes Benz. In his 40 years of service he was names ‘Salesmen of the Month’ on numerous occasions and was recognized Generously my Mercedes Benz in Germany.

Kenneth was blessed with 17 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. Was a great father and husband and was loved by anyone who ever came in contact with him. He made many lifelong friends and was one of the most wonderful men that you could have ever met.

He was a strong man with no desire to have anyone feel sorry for him for his illnesses. He lived without regret and did not let them interfere with who he was. His personal presence will be missed by so many but what he has left behind for all of us to remember will bring us joy for the rest of our lives.

The family will receive friends for a celebration of Ken's life and memorial service on Friday, April 8th from 6pm to 8pm at Waltrip Funeral Directors.