Martin Alexander Hodges (Alex), 89, of Clinton, Missouri passed away Friday, January 27, 2017, at St. Luke's Hospital  in Kansas City, Missouri. Visitation will be held Wednesday, February 1, 2017 from 5-7 PM at Vansant-Mills Funeral Home, Clinton, Missouri. Services will be held Thursday, February 2, 2017, at 2:00 PM also at the funeral home. Interment will follow funeral services at Englewood Cemetery, Clinton Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and left in care of the funeral home. Fond memories and condolences may be left at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com .

Alex was born on December 27, 1927, in Kansas City, Missouri.  He was the son of Martin and Ethelyn Hodges.  He had one brother, Jack Hodges.  He is survived by two sons, Mark Alexander Hodges (Yvonne) of Mesa, Arizona and Jefery Lynn Hodges (Jean) of Clinton, Missouri, as well as former daughter-in-law Karen Hodges of California.  He is also survived by six grandchildren; Tessa Nicole Lambe (Jon) and Jason Michael Hodges of Florida, Summer Lee Hodges-Bridges (Jamey), and Kara Nadine Hodges, of California, and Lyndsey Anne Hodges Reichardt (Blate) of St. Louis, Missouri, and Kyle Martin Hodges (Cassie) of Clinton, Missouri, and five great-grandchildren; Noah Vazquez and Penelope Hodges of Clinton, Missouri, Ava Reichardt of St. Louis, Missouri, McKenna Lambe and Braeden Lambe of Florida.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Ethelyn Helena his father, Martin Albert, his wife, Lois, his brother Jack, and his son, Gary Hodges.

Alex was a high school track start and a member of the football team at Southeast High School in Kansas City.  He served as a medic in the United States Army during World War II, and then continued his education at Central Missouri State University by earning a bachelor's degree in education and a Master's degree in Industrial Arts.  Alex then served as an industrial arts teacher at Clinton High School, where he served for 32 years before retiring in 1987.  Alex was well known for being a tough but fair teacher, often making his students do pushups.  Alex served his community by volunteering for several organizations, including serving as a Scoutmaster.  Alex was passionate about the outdoors and land conservation.  He was a past member of the Missouri Native Plant Society, the Missouri Prairie Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, the National Wild Turkey Foundation, the Masonic Lodge, the National Rifle Association and the Truman Lake Chapter of Quail Unlimited (QU).  Alex was an eight-time Quail Unlimited President's Club winner, and Chairman of the chapter for nine years, as well as the recipient of the National Golden Quail Award in 2006, Quail Unlimited's highest individual recognition.  Alex loved to hunt, to listen to big band music, to tell jokes and to travel.  He and his late wife Lois often traveled cross-country and to Mexico, and as recently as last June he traveled to Alaska with his son Jef.


Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home, Clinton, Missouri.