Joe Ben Hodges

J. Ben Hodges left this mortal coil at the age of 83 in Everett, WA in the home where he and his wife Carol lived with their tabby cat Kitty Boy, who recently crossed the rainbow bridge. Ben and Carol both had been retired for many years, Ben first and Carol later. They enjoyed working in their back yard and around the house together, Ben often in the 'outside shop' or in the garage. They loved feeding the birds, squirrels and occasional visiting cat or critter daily. They enjoyed watching the Seahawks play football, had several local dining establishments they frequented, and spent time with family and friends. Ben was an avid researcher of genealogy, having extensive family tree. He also had a large rock collection and arrow heads he found on the banks of the river as a young man. He loved bolo ties. Ben was born to Gordon and Emma Hodges in Bisbee, AZ and grew up Richland, WA with his older brother Bill and younger brother John. Ben dropped out of high school and lied about his age to join the US Air Force in 1955, marrying his first wife Karen, and was stationed in Biloxi, MS. It was there they started their family with their eldest daughter Linda Jo in 1956, followed by Mark (Merek) Lowell, Yvonne (fawn) Marie, and Naomi Ruth. Ben was also stationed at USAF Radar Ridge station in Naselle, WA, Coos Bay, OR, and USAF Makah station in Neah Bay, WA at radar installations while enlisted. Ben and Karen eventually returned to the Tri-Cities and joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Soon they met and formed a close friendship with David and Sandie Curtis and their children Michael, Debbie, and Christopher. When both marriages dissolved in 1970, Ben and Sandie got together and were married. This union resulted in them moving from Kennewick to Everett, WA for a fresh start and the birth of their daughter Sarah Elizabeth in 1975. While living in Everett Ben worked for Fluke making handheld test devices and Eldec (a Boeing subcontractor) doing electrical work until around 1978 when his brother Bill convinced him to move the family back to Richland, take the pipefitters' test and 'buy a book' to start working at Hanford - aka 'The Area' - as a pipefitter, helping to build nuclear power plant reactors for the WPPSS project. He spent many years in the construction trades, then somehow transitioned (with no formal degree) to a desk job as a CAD (Computer Assisted Design) operator doing drafting work, 'job shopping' as a contractor for the remainder of his working days. He was also a self-taught, high mathematician who spoke in mathematics and had a penchant for falling asleep thinking of math problems and waking in the night with the answer. In his younger years, Ben excelled at physical feats of strength like handstands, leg wrestling, and kitchen table arm wrestling. He was kicked off the high school track team for smoking cigarettes - so in true Ben Hodges fashion - at the next practice he ran past the fastest classmate, backwards, with a smoke hanging out his mouth........A few years later he was walking down the street, pulled out a pack, and asked himself, "Why am I letting a weed rule my life?" With that, he tossed the pack over his shoulder and never smoked cigarettes again. Ben loved working with his hands, was a gifted wood worker, auto/home repair technician and could make or repair anything. He created several custom woodworking items like his youngest daughter Sarah's crib and possibly a rocking chair. He and Sandie created trivets and wooden wind swirls for all their children, much later. He also was very involved in helping create complete stage sets for one of Sandie's passions, singing and dancing with the Sweet Adelines female barbershop harmony group. Ben's passion for art included painting Christmas themed creations on the front windows of his homes each holiday season, multiple full sketch books, had a deep appreciation for all the arts (music, paint, photography, literature). Ben was famous amongst those who knew him for his 'napkin art', his pen commonly whipping out caricatures of people during post-dinner conversations whether out for dinner or the hours spent sitting around the family dinner table. 'They just come out of my pen' he would modestly proclaim. Ben also had a kindness in his heart for animals, owning many cats, dogs, and even horned toads and tarantulas over the years. Ben and Sandie moved the family home from Richland, WA to Mt. Vernon, WA in 1986 where he was working in nearby Anacortes, WA while Sandie attended her final two years of college at WWU in Bellingham. Once Sandie graduated and Ben's work dried up in Anacortes, they moved from Mt. Vernon to Beaverton, OR around 1988. Tragically they too divorced around 1991, after which Ben married Marie Cvancara in 1995, from Czechoslovakia which lasted five years. In 2002 Ben and Carol finally married after he asked for her hand in marriage every day for 2 years straight! Ben is survived by his fourth and final wife Carol, daughters Linda Jo Fluharty, Fawn Calvario, Naomi Hunt, and Sarah Hodges, with their respective spouses, 16 grandchildren, and about 25-30 great grandchildren. He also took responsibility and a father role to his stepchildren Mike Curtis, Debbie Curtis, Chris Curtis, Michelle Maddalena, Robert & Lisa (Turner) Bearden. He is also survived by his brother John, 5 nieces, and 1 nephew. He also leaves behind many cousins, the Hodges/Lindsey clan is spread far and wide, and recently was introduced to a half-brother Calvin Tenney he never knew he had and Calvin's daughter Carmen Davis. Preceding Ben in death are his parents Gordon and Emma Hodges, his brother Bill Hodges, and his son Mark Hodges. Ben's celebration of life will be held in Everett, WA on January 22, 2022. Condolences and memories may be shared on the Solie Funeral Home website.