FORT WORTH-Ed Hodges passed away Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at the age of 56.
CELEBRATION OF LIFE: Private
Ed was born June 14, 1964 to the late Melvin L. and Doris C. Hodges in Phoenix, Arizona. He proudly served his country for 13 years by enlisting in the US Army. Ed was a beloved husband, soulmate, and best friend to his wife, Ed and Marion were gifted with 24 precious years together. Ed’s selflessness and loyalty, generosity and loving heart were unmatched. He was always ready to lend a hand, no sacrifice was too dear. Family first, Ed did not need blood relationship to be father, grandfather, brother-in-law, uncle or friend.
Ed was first to shed a tear, first to laugh from the heart, first to lend a hand, a stellar haiku writer, lover of dogs (and a few cats), astronomy and physics aficionado, a skilled marksman, a voracious reader, expert with technology, teller of tales, and a great cook.
Road trips with his wife were frequent and impulsive activities, but their favorite spot in the world to travel to was Hawaii. For their 20th anniversary, they renewed their vows, sealed them in a bottle and cast them into the ocean along Maui’s northwest coast. And Ed wrote this haiku:
Across the ocean
A vessel with a token
Our vows forever
Though he has traveled to the other side, he is with us always and will be deeply and profoundly missed.
Ed is preceded in death by his parents; dear sister, Kay Cruz; and brother-in-law, David Cruz.
SURVIVORS: Wife, Marion Jacobson; son, Michael Muhney and wife, Jaime; daughter, Kathryn Montemayor and husband, Travis; son, Derek Muhney and wife, Mia; daughter, Ashley Hodges; son, Adam Hodges; grandson, Justice Joeckel; granddaughter, Nia Joeckel; granddaughter, Sophia Joeckel; grandson, Dylan Muhney; granddaughter, Ella Muhney; grandson, Truman Muhney; nephew, Matt Bidgoli and partner, Raphael; nephew, Mark Bidgoli and wife, Crystal; and numerous friends.
Brown Owens & Brumley Family Funeral Home
425 S. Henderson St.
(817) 335-4557
Madeleine
Ed was an amazing man that I’m so blessed to have known. He taught me a lot although I did not know him for as long as my loved ones. I will miss him and his charismatic spirit. Rest In Peace you are dearly missed…
Trish Wise
You have such wonderful memories of this special guy. I hope you find comfort in them. He is gone way too soon. Your friends love you and are here for you.
Martinez Family
Ed and I worked on the same team at GM Financial for several years. He was always helpful and funny to talk with. I always enjoyed his old references and saying….cracked me up. We used to go back-and-forth coming up with as many I can think of.
Our family sends our deepest sympathy for your loss…
Michael Muhney
Ed was a superhero in disguise. Always there in everyone’s moment of need. Always gave of himself what he could to help, often times giving even more than was reasonable. Loyal on a pure level. Dependable. Steady. A good man if there ever was one.
Whatever a “Bull in a China Shop” is, he was the exact opposite, and yet he made a similar impact. He touched everything in his path, touching us all with warmth and generosity and unselfish love.
I was in college when Ed met my mom, and I immediately started to fall in love with him based on the stories I was being told. He was there for my mom, for everything, always. He worshipped her, celebrated her, adored her. And he was often there for my younger sister & brother many, many times over the years. I was never concerned or anxious about my loved ones far away in Texas, because I knew Ed was always there. If there was a car accident in the middle of the night, a flat tire in the rain, boxes & furniture that needed moving, anything anytime anywhere…that is where you would find Ed. First to arrive. Last to leave. Never needing any credit, never taking any. It’s what superheroes do. And he was the best of them all.
What I am about to say may seem like a small thing, but to me it’s everything. Words are powerful. They have clear meaning. They define. I am careful with my words, and I love language, so this was especially important to me. When I spoke of my mom to Ed, if I had to refer to her, she was always “Mom” and never, ever “my mom.” I only use “Mom” as my way of referencing her to my brother, sister, or wife. To everyone else in the world she is “my mom.” But with Ed, from the very beginning, 24 years ago, she was always “Mom” and would forever be so. It was a little thing, but it was massive in its meaning. He was family. He was ours. He wasn’t Ed. He was my Ed.
Steve and Deb Vargo
Steve and I want to express our deepest condolences and sympathy to Marion and the entire extended family. It is a great loss when a loved one moves on. We really enjoyed the time we spent with you and Ed. Steve enjoyed his company so much he feels as if he lost his new best friend.
Know you are surrounded with love from family and friends.
Vento Family
Our thoughts and prayers to the entire family.
Kelly Karloff
No words can express how sorry I am at Ed’s passing. We want to express our sympathy and let you know our thoughts are with you.
Kelly and Brock Karloff
Jerry & Beth Zahand
Ed was a man that made you feel comfortable to be around him from the very moment that you met him. It was so obvious how much he adored our Aunt Marion, which further endeared him to the family. We have priceless memories of our vacations at the lake with Aunt Marion and Ed that will forever bring a smile to our faces and laughter to our hearts. It’s hard to believe that Marion and Ed only had 24 short years together. Much easier to believe that he has always been a part of our family. The most important thing we would like to convey to the world is that Ed was an incredibly decent and kind human being. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him. Our hearts are broken for our sweet aunt and all of our cousins. It hurts to talk about him in past tense. All our love to the family.
Marigay Black
We offer our sincere condolences to you and your family. Ed loved all of you and that love can never be taken from your hearts. May your hope to move forward be strengthened by keeping memories of happy times renewed in your mind and activities. With heartfelt regards, Marigay and Chris Black
Katy Montemayor
As I sit here writing this I am filled with so much love and so much sadness at the same time. It is difficult to digest.
When I first met Ed 24 years ago I was still a teenager. I had no concept of what a soulmate was or how it impacted an entire family. My mom and Ed were quick to fall for each other, both having the same desire to share their endless love and happiness with one another. What we didn’t see coming is how someone could have been a stranger one day and family the next. We didn’t realize at the time that Ed’s ability to love and care for my mom would blanket our family as a whole. He was always there, without question, without judgment, without any hesitance. He wanted to be there. It was important to him to be present in our lives and helpful in ways that only Ed knew how to be. He was conscious of making memories, not just being in the picture. He loved to have one on one time with each of his children and grandchildren to make sure that bond only became stronger. The memories of him smiling and telling stories and calling my mom “darlin’” will forever touch my soul.
Ed, you are an incredible person, an enviable man among men, a leader in the most passionate ways and I thank you for every single thing you’ve ever done for my children and me. It is such a deep, painful loss for us. The impact you’ve had on us is profound, as is the loss of you. I will cherish you for the rest of my days. You were a gift to us all. I love you so very much.
Derek J Muhney
Ed was my best friend. I wasn’t even a teenager when he first came into our lives and I had so much to learn about life and growing up and becoming a man. Ed was there for me through it all, through everything. I counted on him and didn’t even know it. He was there for me when I didn’t even realize I needed him, it’s just who he was, there, always, for all of us. Ed was the most selfless man I’ve ever known. I cannot even count the number of times he dropped everything just to be there for me, I could always count on him for anything, for everything. He loved my Mom in a way that words cannot express, it was so powerful, it was inspiring, it was Ed, simply put, it was just who Ed was. Ed was more than my best friend, he was my other Dad, not my second dad, not my stepdad, he was my Dad. Who he was and what he stood for will forever live on through me and through the way that I live my life, the way that I love others, and the way that I will always be there for those I love, just as Ed was to all of us. I love you so much Ed.
Brian Simms
I was in the same unit as Ed during Desert Storm. I found his obituary while searching for members of the 471st Transportation Company to invite to a reunion. He was a good soldier and will be missed.
The videos in this link were recorded in Saudi Arabia by a member of Ed’s Squad in the 3rd Platoon and he is in them many times. He is also in several pictures in the second link of photos by members in Saudi. Please feel free to save, and distribute to his friends and family.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFDCUyr23JkXKJqLt4p17JA
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/f8aapfrbp57xj7l/AAAc52rKL9ECa0a–VZNbjsxa?dl=0
My deepest condolences
Brian M Simms
Oklahoma City
Sgt Denice Bigelow
I served in Desert Shield/ Storm with Ed he was the greatest person. I always wondered what happened to him for we in the 471st trans could not find him for the reunions He will be missed greatly. Such a special man. So sorry for your loss. Denice Bigelow
Jay Jones
So sorry for your loss. I knew SGT Hodges when I was just a private in the 471st Trans Co and deployed to desert storm with him. He was a good man and mentor.