James Robert “Bob” Hodge, Jr.
Feb. 22, 1933 – Dec. 19, 2018
James Robert “Bob” Hodge, Jr., 85, Harrisonville, Missouri, died Dec. 19 at Wilshire at Lakewood Care Center, Lee’s Summit. Memorial services were Dec. 22 at the Atkinson Funeral Home, Harrisonville. Memorial contributions may be made to the Harrisonville Public School Foundation – Hodge Scholarship.
Bob was born Feb. 22, 1933, in Mercer, the son of James Robert and Pearl Theo (Stockman) Hodge. He graduated from Princeton High School in 1951. Bob married Peggy Owen Nov. 8, 1953, in Princeton. Bob received a basketball scholarship from Oklahoma A&M, where he attended college for a year before joining the U.S. Navy. He was a Navy veteran of the Korean War. He later received his Bachelor’s, Master’s and Specialist in Education degrees from the University of Missouri.
Bob worked in public education for 32 years as a teacher, coach and administrator before retiring in 1993. He taught in Peculiar for two years before moving to Harrisonville. While at the Harrisonville Public School, Bob taught, served as the head basketball coach (1961-1968), assistant football coach (1961-1968) and was the coach of the first golf team for the school in 1968.
He was a charter member of the Harrisonville Rotary Club, past president of the Harrisonville Lions Club, a member of several state and local teachers’ organizations and a member of Quail Unlimited.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing and playing cards at the Harrisonville Community Center. Bob and Peggy were members of the Harrisonville United Methodist Church.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Peggy; his son, Rusty; and one sister, Phyllis McVay.
He is survived by two sons, Jeff Hodge and his wife, Treasa, Lumberton Texas, and Kurtis Hodge, Lee’s Summit; one sister, Linda Haley and her husband, Mike, Marceline; five grandchildren, Kathryn Messick, Samuel Hodge, Alex Hodge, Anakin Hodge and Bridgette O’Shaughnessy; and two great-grandchildren, Linus and Emmitt Messick.
Clara Lucille Hoke
April 22, 1926 – Dec. 18, 2018
Clara Lucille Hoke, Harrisonville, was born April 22, 1926, in Independence, the daughter of Charles and Vica (Wait) Rogers. She died Dec. 18 at her home at the age of 92 years, 7 months and 26 days.
April 6, 1946, Clara was married to George Bowler Hoke in Olathe, Kansas.
Clara was a homemaker, as well as owner and operator along with her husband, George, of Hoke Tow Company in Harrisonville for many years. Earlier, she was an embroidery operator for the Grace Company in Belton.
Clara was a member of the First Christian Church, Harrisonville. She loved to dance and listen to swing music, was a wonderful artist and loved to oil paint, but her greatest enjoyment was spending time with her grandchildren.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, George Hoke, March 9, 2007; and two brothers, Frank and Clarence Rogers.
She is survived by a son, Jim Hoke, Harrisonville; a daughter, Sherry Neale and husband, Richard, Kansas City; four grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; four brothers, Don Rogers, Russell Penniston, George “Sonny” Penniston and Lloyd Penniston, all of Independence; and other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services were Dec. 21 at the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, with burial in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the Harrisonville Animal Shelter.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville.
