Mr. Edward E. "Buddy" Hodges

A celebration of the life of Mr. Edward E. “Buddy” Hodges, 86, of Henderson, will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, January 12, 2026, in the chapel at Crawford-A. Crim Funeral Home, with Jeff Griffin officiating. Interment will follow at New Salem Cemetery under the direction of Crawford-A. Crim Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 4:00 PM on Sunday, January 11, at the funeral home. Mr. Hodges passed from this life on January 9, 2026, at his residence. He was born at home in New Salem, Texas, on November 20, 1939, to the late L.J. “Bogie” and Audrey Pett (Lee) Hodges. Known by family and friends as a gentle giant and truly a man among boys, Buddy lived most of his life in Henderson and graduated from Henderson High School in 1958, where he was a standout athlete in football, basketball, baseball, and track. He went on to attend Kilgore College, playing football for the Rangers, where he met the love of his life, Sandra Gay Pugh. They were married in 1959 and moved to Houston, where Buddy attended the University of Houston and proudly played football for the Cougars. After returning home with his bride, Sandra, Buddy went to work at his family’s sawmill as a supervisor and also served as a proud member of the Army National Guard. Buddy and Sandra adopted two beloved daughters, Monica and Angie. He was often found on Lake Striker pulling his girls behind the boat, taking them on snow skiing vacations in Colorado and New Mexico, and taking them for motorcycle rides on the backroads of East Texas. Buddy built his family a beautiful Spanish-style home in New Salem, lovingly known as “the Alamo.” Buddy loved the simple joys of life — riding horses, admiring old cars, watching westerns and sports, and relaxing in his recliner with a good chew of tobacco. He enjoyed playing golf at Henderson Country Club during his retirement years. Buddy was also a longtime and faithful member of First Methodist Church in Henderson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Sandra Hodges; sister Daun Merlyn McGregor and husband Lynn; brother Jack Hodges; sister-in-law Carolyn Pettit and husband C.J.; brother-in-law Pete Costlow; nephews, Gary and Terry McGregor, and two great-grandbabies. Those left to cherish his memory include his daughters, Monica Griffin and husband Jeff, and Angie Powell and husband Coy; grandchildren Shelby White and husband Ryan, Cy Moore, Hunter Martin, Nolan Griffin, and Rade Griffin and wife Jaycee; great-grandchildren Jaxon Martin, Weston White, Everly White, Livvy White, and Taylor Higginbotham. Special friends and caregivers, James Keith, Rose Cook, and Donna Melton. Pallbearers will be Cy Moore, Hunter Martin, Nolan Griffin, Rade Griffin, Jeff Griffin, and Coy Powell. Honorary pallbearers will be Shelby White, Jax Martin, Weston White, Everly White, Livvy White, and Taylor Higginbotham. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Henderson Athletic Booster Club, First United Methodist Church in Henderson, the Wounded Warrior Project or the charity of your choice. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.crawfordacrim.com.

Mr. Edward E. "Buddy" Hodges

November 20, 1939 - January 9, 2026