Joseph Randy "Joe" Hodges

Joseph Randy Hodges, Sr., 73, passed away peacefully into the arms of Jesus on Monday evening, October 18, 2021 at SECU Hospice Home in Smithfield, NC. Born on August 13, 1948 at the Old Rex Hospital in Raleigh, NC; Joe was one of three sons to the late Horace Paul Hodges and Annie Laurie Coats Hodges.

Joe was raised in Cary, NC, along with his brothers, Lindsay and Horace on E. Park Street. The family moved “to the country” at 1220 Walnut Street in 1966. Joe was very protective of his older brother Lindsay growing up, whooping anyone who ran afoul of him. He was a coach to his younger brother Horace’s little league team teaching him the finer points of playing catcher.

He graduated from Cary High School – Class of 1966. Joe played Football and was a letterman for Cary High School and was manager on the basketball team for Charlie Adam’s with the Adam’s hoopsters. He went on to attend NC State University and in 1967 began his career with IBM.

Joe met his wife, Jan on a blind date setup by his aunt Geraldene who worked with Jan in social services at the time. They dated for two and a half months before Joe knew Jan was the one and they were engaged. They married shortly afterwards in 1974.

Joe worked for IBM for 35 years working his way up to a management position. One of his last projects was with the Y2K Team. After briefly retiring, Joe worked with a couple of former IBM employees in various capacities before going to work at Hendrick Chevrolet in Cary, NC. Joe enjoyed his work at Hendrick, eventually becoming the Accessories Sales Manager. In his final position with Hendrick, he delivered cars and would also facilitate dealer trades from various Hendrick locations. This allowed him to travel quite a bit and often he would bring Jan to explore new places.

Joe loved spending time with his family, especially at Kerr Lake. He spent many summers camping at Kimball Point with the Kimball Point Camping Crazies in a small camper with his family and friends. He was affectionately named the “Mayor of Kimball Point”. He and Jan built their own lake home in the Ponderosa neighborhood on Kerr Lake in 1989.

He volunteered many hours first with his son Randy as president of the Cougar Club at Apex High School and Announcer for the football team. He then along with his brothers Lindsay, Horace and son Randy was the Announcer, Spotters, and Clock/scoreboard operators for Green Hope High School football when Stewart played.

Joe and Jan raised two amazing men who became wonderful fathers themselves. Joe first became a grandfather, better known as “Papa Joe,” in the early spring of March, 2006 to his granddaughter Skylar. He was then blessed with a grandson, Palmer, in January of 2010. In the last 9 years he was blessed with another grandson Alexander, granddaughter Adalynn, and the youngest grandson, Mason was born this past August. Papa Joe was actively involved in the lives of his grandchildren, just as he was when Randy and Stewart were growing up. He attended every possible event, ballgame, awards ceremony, play etc. that he could get to, even if it meant traveling 3 hours away. Papa Joe loved his family fiercely and those feelings were reciprocated by his wife, kids, grandkids, and daughter-in-laws. What he enjoyed most was having all of his family, and any extras they brought along, with he and Jan at his happy place, on Kerr Lake. He welcomed everyone with open arms and was always the most positive person you could meet.

Joe was also a longtime member of the “Young” Men’s Bible Class at First United Methodist Church in Cary, meeting in the log cabin. He ushered many Sundays at First United Methodist Church as well as worked their fair booth on the grill cooking their famous ham biscuits.

Joe followed in his Father’s footsteps by joining Cary Masonic Lodge #198. He was joined in brotherhood by his brothers Horace and Lindsay, nephew Lance, and son Stewart. Joe worked hard to raise money for the masonic charities selling many BBQ plates with his seal of flavor approval.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years: Janice Stewart Hodges; two sons: J. Randy Hodges, Jr. and wife Meredith, of Clayton and Stewart L. Hodges and wife Jessie, of Garner; grandchildren: Skylar and Palmer Hodges and Alexander, Adalynn and Mason Hodges; brothers: Howard Lindsay Hodges and wife Bonnie, of Pittsboro and Horace P. Hodges, Jr. and wife Linda, of Morrisville; nephews and nieces: Lance M. Hodges, Horace Paul Hodges III, Laurie Margaret “Meg” Hodges Peacock and husband Dave, Kellie Smith, Will Stephenson, Denise Bridges, Sean Stewart and Brian Stewart; great-nephews and niece: Tanner C. Hodges, and Sutton and Sadie Peacock; and by other extended family and many friends.

A service celebrating Joe’s life will be held on Friday, October 22, 2021 at 11 am in the Mausoleum Chapel of Raleigh Memorial Park. Family will receive friends following the service. Internment, with Masonic Rites, will be held privately. At other times, his wife Jan will be at the home of Randy and Meredith Hodges.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to SECU Hospice Home – 426 Hospital Road – Smithfield, NC 27577, the V Foundation for cancer research or to a charity of your choice in his memory.

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