Eugene “Gene” Hodges, Sr.

Eugene “Gene” Hodges, Sr. passed away unexpectedly on Friday, February 4, 2022, one day short of his 68th birthday.

Born to the late Mr. Nero Hodges, Sr. and Mrs. Emma Mae Cox Hodges, Gene was born on February 5, 1954, and raised in Peach County, in Byron, Georgia. After high school, he worked at the 76 Restaurant/Gas Station for several years. In September of 1974, Gene began making deliveries as the “Pony” for the Houston County Board of Education. During his 40-year career with the Board of Education, he was affectionately known as “Mr. Fantastic,” “Tony the Tiger,” and “Pony Guy.” He retired on May 30, 2014. During his golden years, Gene enjoyed fishing, playing pool, bowling, playing horseshoes, and dominoes. He took great delight in winning at any game he played and spending time with his grandchildren who were the apple of his eye.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters and four brothers.

His memory will forever be cherished by his loving wife of 46 years, Mrs. Ethel Halliburton Hodges; son and daughter-in-law, Mr. Eugene Hodges, Jr. and Shantiqua K. Lamar Hodges of Warner Robins, Georgia; three grandchildren, Jayson R. Hodges, currently attending Kennesaw State University in Cobb County; Jordan A. Hodges and Jayda K. Hodges, both of Warner Robins; siblings, Nero Hodges, Jr. (Marilyn) of Warner Robins; Geraldine Luckett (T.E.) of Orlando, Florida; Elizabeth Canady (Charlie) of Byron; Lessie Bell Jackson (Knight) of Warner Robins; Sharon Diane Richardson (Willie) of Dublin; Betty Jean Zanders (Michael) of Warner Robins; and Amie Grace (Bruce), Rosalyn Moore, and Jeanette Smith, all of Byron.

A celebration of life service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 9, 2022, in the chapel of McCullough Funeral Home. For friends unable to attend at this time, the service will be streamed live via the McCullough Funeral Home Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mcculloughfuneralhome/live/.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests memorial donations be given to a fund benefiting Eugene “Gene” Hodges, Sr. grandchildren’s college funds. These gifts can be made payable directly to Mrs. Ethel Hodges, P.O. Box 1861 Byron, Georgia, 31008.

Learn about the measures McCullough Funeral Home is taking to ensure the health and safety of our guests at mcculloughfh.com. There you can also sign an Online Registry for the family. McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.