Wendell Wells Hodge's Obituary
Wendell Wells Hodge was born on September 6, 1946 at Sutter Hospital, Yuba City, California. He was the third born son to Walter and Irene Hodge.
He attended first through the eighth grade at a one room school at Center Joint School in Roseville and then attended four years at Roseville High School. He then enlisted into the United States Air Force in 1966, which was during the Vietnam war, and received an Honorable discharge. He attended American River College and received his AA Degree.
In 1972, he married the late Carol Smith, and they had two children, Michele Melton, and Stephen Hodge.
Wendell worked in retail at Sears and Montgomery Wards and later in the trucking industry. In 1989, Wendell suffered a major stroke, leaving permanent damages. He didn’t let that stop him as he had two teenagers still at home. In 1992, Carol passed away from Huntington Disease. In 1995, Wendell and Judy married at the KVIE venue in Sacramento and happily celebrated their 29th Wedding Anniversary this past May.
Wendell received Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and was baptized in a little old church while on vacation in Montgomery, Alabama by the late Chaplin Robert Anders.
Wendell always said he had the best childhood. He was the youngest of two older brothers, Gary and Don, which resulting in many interesting stories. He told the story when the one room school was shut down:
They lived across the street from the school and him and his brother, Gary decided to see how deep the well was. They took newspaper and matches and lit the newspaper. Once lit, they put it in the well and the fire went out. So, they decided to go home and get a can of gas. They poured the gas down the well and lit a match and threw it down the well. They put their faces over the well to see how deep the well was. When it ignited into a ball of flames, their faces and hair were burnt. Needless to say, they needed treatment at the hospital. Side note: school pictures were coming up soon.
Their Dad would take them fishing, the boys played sports in school and Wendell was a big fan of the San Francisco Giants. Wendell loved making people laugh and telling jokes. He didn't know any strangers, everyone was a friend and he liked telling people how good the Lord was. He had a sweet spirit and always treated women with respect.
His Dad, Mother, and Brothers exceeded him in death. Wendell leaves behind his Wife Judy, Daughter Michele Melton (Husband Bill), Son Stephen Hodge, and Daughter Audra Owens (Husband, Doug), five Grandchildren, Gage Melton (Wife Jennifer), Matthew Kitts (Wife Megan), Gabby Melton, Hailey Melton, Logan Melton, Great Grandson Jayden Melton and many nieces and nephews. Wendell was called to eternal rest on June 17, 2024.
HE WILL BE MISSED BY ALL WHO KNEW HIM!
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