We are honored to celebrate an amazing young man who radiated exuberance, shenanigans, and lots of unconditional love into our lives. We are grateful to God for blessing our family with the most precious gift of Nicholas Vincent Hodge, born on June 22, 1988, to Willard Robert Hodge and Patricia Wallace Hodge in Columbus, Ohio. Growing up “all boy,” Nick’s world was full of imaginative adventure, tirelessly attending to litters of Rottweiler and Beagle puppies, digging roads in the dirt for his Hot Wheels cars and Tonka trucks, climbing trees, building forts, riding his bike like a daredevil, loading up his “Super Big Foot” pick-up truck with favorite companions, taking his John Deere tractor out for a spin, and helping his dad with outside projects as well as errands picking up supplies for the family businesses.
Throughout his childhood, Nicholas was in perpetual motion. He reveled in diverse creative programs and local sports activities while residing in Ohio, Canada, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania before his parents, along with sisters Lindsey Marie and Megan Michele, moved to The Woodlands, Texas, in the fall of 1996. Although Nick wasn’t born in this state, he considered himself a Texan through and through.
Outgoing and personable, Nick made friends easily. He enjoyed spending time with his close squad of buddies, riding bikes to the donut shop on the way to school or to the Candy Shop for other sweet treats; practicing his kick-flip ollie and other skateboard tricks until perfected; joining in neighborhood group fun of finding frogs in the creek, building forts in the woods, or playing “capture the flag,” and later, there were times when girls were part of the attraction for going to the community teen center or attending special events like homecoming and prom.
Nicholas excelled academically as well as athletically earning the coveted ‘scholar-athlete’ letter jacket for maintaining Honor Roll grades while participating in his College Park High School Varsity team programs for football and track & field. His work in the residential and commercial construction businesses included solving problems with mechanical systems on various job sites. He soon discovered he had an innate knack for mechanics and enjoyed tinkering and turning wrenches. Soon his hobby took him to pursue a sport that became a true passion for him, muddin.’
Adrenaline, adventuring, and off-roading with a group of like-minded, fun-loving individuals brought together all the simple pleasures of Nick’s childhood: playing in the mud thrilled by challenging terrain and the freedom of riding high with his beloved dog “Smokay” by his side. The therapeutic benefits of the four-wheeling lifestyle soothed his soul and lifted his spirits. His preoccupation with all aspects of 4-wheelers relentlessly tugged at his heart until he decided not to hesitate and chose to accelerate into his own business, “N.V. Me Customs,” offering parts, build, repair, and restore services for 4-wheelers.
Nicholas Vincent Hodge epitomized essential qualities of character, and his generous heart, playful and protective kindnesses will be sorely missed by his parents: Willard and Pati Hodge, his sisters: Lindsey Marie and Megan Michele, his grandmothers: Nancy Waters and Patricia Wallace, his nieces: Avalynn Michele and Kinley Michele, his fiancé: Kayla Arie, other dear friends and family in TX, PA, CA, DE, FL, VA, and WA.
Nick's funeral mass will be celebrated at 10AM on Friday, December 11 at St. Simon and Jude Catholic Church, 26777 Glen Loch Drive, The Woodlands.
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