Edgar Wadsworth Hodges - February 23, 1930 - February 16, 2010

June 2009My best friend Warner's father, Edgar, passed away.

Edgar WadsworthHodges -80, Born February 23, 1930, in LaGrange, NC, to Eva Mae and Enoch Hodges. Edgar passed peacefully at home February 16, 2010, attended by his devoted wife of 53 years Sarah Blanche Hodges. He is survived by his son Warner E. Hodges (Deborah and their children Brock, Chauncey and Emelia) and granddaughter Molly Sara Price, his siblings Sally (Rudolph) Cashwell, John Hodges and Lora Ware, sister-in-law Rachel Johnson and brother-in-law Jerry(Elizabeth) Sweatt, numerous nieces and nephews, and many, many adored friends. 

Ed worked for Ford Motor Company, Norfolk, VA, before being drafted into service  March 1951, Ft. Meade, MD, basic training in Camp Breckinridge, KY.  He was Troop Shipped to Europe (Sonthofen, Germany), where he achieved rank of Corporal.  March 1953 he separated from the Army and immediately joined the Army Reserve of Norfolk, VA, where he found a need to be back in the field, he re-entered the Army as Sergeant in August 1955 and was transferred to Ft. Benning, GA, where he meet his beloved wife, Blanche.  Between 1958 and his retirement from the Army in October 1973 he was assigned 3 Tour of Duties in Germany, Korea, 2 in Vietnam, Santa Domingo and the Panama Canal Zone.

During his military career he and wife Blanche formed a band “Swingin Strings” winning a contract to tour military bases for Special Services entertaining the troops as opening act for such well-knowns as Johnny Cash, Archy Campbell, Lefty Frizzell, Bobby Bare, Faron Young, and Porter Wagoner.

After retiring from the Army as Chief Warrant Officer 2 in October 1973, Ed and his family settled in Nashville to carry on their love of playing country music and began teaching at NADC. He received his BS from the University of Tennessee in 1981 and his Master of Science Industrial Education in 1985.  Ed received the Outstanding Technical Instructor Award of 1982 from the State of Virginia Private Schools Association.  He also received eight top instructor awards from NADC and the Outstanding Instructor of the Year award from NADC in 1980, 1981, 1982 and 1984.  Ed retired from NADC, Education Coordinator, in 2000 to indulge in his love of gardening and music.

Ed was wholeheartedly devoted to his family, home, work and music. He will be sincerely missed by his family and the many that were fortunate their lives were touched by him.Ed was exceedingly supportive and influential of his son Warner’s music career, notably  “Jason and the Scorchers”. He was one of the best people I've ever known, as a father, husband, and American, and I hope someday I can be a fraction of the person he was.