Clyde Junior Hodge, 77, of Rutherfordton, NC, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on July 3rd, 2020 at Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, after a several year battle with IPF and cancer.
Clyde was born October 27, 1942 in Rutherfordton to the late Clyde Martin Hodge and Ruth Peterson Hodge and was preceded in death by his younger brother, Donald Hodge. Early on, Clyde displayed a passion for flying, becoming one of the youngest Captains in the history of Eastern Airlines where he flew the Lockheed Constellation and Boeing 727. Following retirement, Clyde ran a successful chain of video rental stores in the area under the Video Outlet banner. He was still an avid aviator, enjoying his Pitts Specials and Ultralight planes and in his later years, he could be found in his yard or at the beach flying his drones.
Clyde’s passion for adventure was only surpassed by his love for his wife and surviving partner of almost 59 years, Carole Kornacki Hodge. Those left to cherish his memory include son, Robert W. Hodge and wife Donna Hodge of Charlotte, NC, daughter, Ruth H. Bowers and fiancé, Don Pollard of Morganton, NC, daughter, Lynnette H. Martin and husband Scott D. Martin of Rutherfordton, NC, son John M. Hodge and wife Kelly B. Hodge of Inman, SC, 13 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren.
The entire family rejoices that Clyde has entered God’s kingdom joined by his parents, brother Donnie, grandson Drew Bowers, and his many favorite dogs in heaven’s grace and peace.
A graveside service was held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 7th, 2020 at Piedmont Baptist Church cemetery in Rutherfordton with Reverend Everette Chapman of Fairfield Mountains Chapel officiating. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Heart of the Foothills Animal Rescue via PayPal (adopt@heartofthefoothills.org), in person (110 East Main Street Forest City, NC 28043), or by mail (380 US Hwy 221 North, Rutherfordton, NC 28139) or Hospice of the Carolina Foothills.
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