Dale Hodges
January 5, 1950 – May 12, 2024
Dale Hodges, of Geneva, Florida, passed away peacefully on May 12, 2024, with his family by his side. He was preceded in death by his father, Dougal G., and is survived by his wife, Rebecca; his son, Slade (wife Vanessa); his daughter, Jamie; his mother, Frances; his sisters, Joellene, Julie, and Janis; his four grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Dale was born at MacDill Airforce Base in Tampa and grew up moving around the country as an Air Force brat, falling in love with Alaska for its dramatic landscapes and endless outdoor opportunities. Despite all the places he lived, Georgia always felt like home to Dale. Much of his formative years were spent on a farm with his grandparents, uncles, and other family, and those times were among the most significant in his life, shaping his strong work ethic and deep love for nature.
Dale eventually landed in Florida in the early 60s with his parents and sisters. He graduated from Boone High School in 1968, where he played baseball and ran track, later attending Valencia and Seminole Community Colleges. According to him, his school years were marked by bad grades and a few too many fights.
In 1978, Dale married the love of his life, Becky, and in 1980, they settled down in Geneva. Dale embraced a variety of outdoor jobs and hobbies—ranching, roofing, construction, mechanic work, rodeo, woodworking, gardening, hunting, fishing, and beekeeping. A talented man of many skills, there wasn’t much he couldn’t fix, build, or grow. In his late 30s, Dale’s rugged lifestyle caught up to him, resulting in a disability that kept him from working, but he didn’t let that stop him from leading a productive life devoted to his family.
He spent years volunteering at Oviedo Little League, where his kids played ball, taking on roles as coach, board member, handyman, and groundskeeper. As his kids got older, Dale continued volunteering at Oviedo High School, helping improve the athletic fields and building a new concession stand. He kept up with his hobbies and always found a way to use his skills to make an extra buck. An avid deer hunter late into his life, he was known for his large pack of beagles that he insisted on following into the woods.
While Dale was a quiet guy with few friends who enjoyed his solitude, he had a knack for storytelling and was often quite engaging. Despite his best qualities, he could be a bit stubborn and often challenged those closest to him. He was also fairly accident-prone, keeping Becky on her toes with random injuries and various ailments. If there were a Murphy’s Law award, he definitely would have been the top recipient for the absurd situations he often found himself in. He loved his family, enjoyed the innocence of children and animals, despised cats, and was quite content eating homemade hamburgers and french fries after a day of tinkering in his barn and garden. He was not one for fanfare or public recognition, preferring his passing to be a quiet one without much ado. Although he wasn’t forthcoming about his faith, those who knew Dale can take comfort in knowing that he was a believer in Christ.
Those who wish to honor Dale have plenty of options. A few ideas include tossing a ball with a kid, going hunting or fishing, starting a garden, savoring a Snickers bar, or simply scowling at a random cat.
