Danny M. Hodges - Cremation Society of Virginia

Danny M. Hodges

April 4, 1944 - January 15, 2021

Williamsburg – January 15 was the day the music died. Danny Mack Hodges, 76, passed away

at Sentara Regional Medical Center of respiratory failure, and a silence descended on his aura.

Dan was The Music Man, and he was renown for his vast knowledge of music: folk music (The

Kingston Trio and John Stewart); oldies (50’s and 60’s); country music (Robert Earl Keene, Dave Alvin)–

any kind of good music. He loved the creative process, and especially admired singer/songwriters, and

attended as many live concerts as he could.

Dan’s favorite activity was sitting on his back terrace, blasting music for friends and taking requests.

He was always listening to music– in his house, in his car, wherever he could. He even listened to music

on an ipad while he was in the hospital. He was a big hit as the DJ for his community’s two annual picnics.

Another of Dan’s passions was sports: Virginia Tech football and basketball; the Dodgers baseball team, and the

Washington Redskins (before they became The Washington Football Team.) Dan also owned a 1967 Sunbeam Alpine

British car which he drove for 50 years.

Dan is survived by his wife, of 25 years, Olivia, who adored him; his son, Lawrence P. Hodges, and wife, Margaret; and

his daughter, Stacey Hodges Hull, and husband, Howard. Sadly, Dan’s first grandchild– a girl, Lauren– was born

to Larry and Margaret two days after his passing, but we are certain that he was watching the event from heaven. He is also

survived by a brother, James, and his wife, Jo, from Missouri.

Dan was born in Washington NC on April 4, 1944 (4-4-44), and was raised in Portsmouth VA. He graduated from Cradock HS

and attended Virginia Tech in Blacksburg VA. He was recruited by IBM and retired after a 30-year career, working mostly in

Poughkeepsie NY and the Hudson Valley, with a stint at IBM AsiaPacific, traveling to Japan and throughout Asia.

Dan is preceded in death by his parents, Johnnie Lee Hodges and Sybil Nobles Hodges of New Bern and Vanceboro NC

and by a brother Richard Lee Hodges, also of NC.

Everybody loved Dan. He was fun and had a great sense of humor. He loved socializing with friends over a beer or a glass of

wine, swapping stories, or playing trivia. He was kind and generous and a good person. He will be deeply missed.

There will be no funeral service at this time because of COVID restrictions, but please continue telling stories about Dan (everyone

has at least one!) to keep his memory alive!

Online condolences may be expressed at vacremationsociety.com

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Williamsburg – January 15 was the day the music died. Danny Mack Hodges, 76, passed away at Sentara Regional Medical Center of respiratory failure, and a silence descended on his aura. Dan was The Music Man, and he was renown for his vast knowledge of music: folk music (The Kingston Trio and John Stewart); oldies…

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Dan was always very kind to my entire family. We always enjoyed seeing him and Olivia, family to us. When I went to visit Dan and Olivia with my daughter, who was 5 at the time, we had a wonderful time enjoying food, stories on our trips and his music! He would go upstairs and choose which song and artist to share with us and I loved the way he explained what we were listening to. Interesting and just very good music! He really transmitted his passion to us and I was amazed at how much he knew about it. We also got to take a ride in his light blue convertible 1967 Sunbeam. He will be very missed by all of us.

Oh what a wonderful friend and treasure we had in Dan. So many fun get-togethers. So many laughs. So many lost golf balls. So many brewskis. So much kindness and generosity. And so many hilarious facetime calls all throughout this past year. Barb and I (and all of Raleigh) loved Dan so very much. Sending warm hugs and our deepest sympathies to Olivia, Larry and Stacey.

I met Dan following and early season golf tournament in 2005. The other participants had departed for points unknown leaving behind a more than a half full keg of beer. Being of like minds and conscious of the horrible waste about to unfold, we joined forces to prevent this disaster. A couple of hours later, we two raconteurs finished the task and began a long friendship. Dan had a quick wit, a wry sense of humor, a competitive spirit and a warm heart. We had many laughs over the years playing golf (once he sunk an 80 foot putt on #14), poker at the Moose lodge or the Stonepath neighborhood game, or enjoying a meal with Olivia and my wife, Sandra. We will miss him. Raise your glasses friends and sing along. "O Danny Boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling From glen to glen and down the mountainside. The summer's gone and all the roses falling. 'Tis you, 'tis you must go and I must bide. He was one of a kind. Sandra and I extend our heartfelt condolences to Olivia and all of Dan's family.

For over 50 years we had the pleasure of knowing and spending time with Danny. He was the person that everyone liked. He was kind, funny and unbelievably loyal to his friends. It was through his efforts (parties/gatherings) that we have all remained so close. Danny was the only other person I know who thought the Kingston Trio was the greatest group ever. One fond memory was going with him to Boodles Opera House in Chester NY to see them perform live. Whenever we got together with Olivia and Danny the conversation flowed as though we had just talked to them yesterday. We will miss those times. We will miss him, but he will remain in our hearts always.

I lived next door to Dan for 17 years and played golf with him occasionally. He was indeed the Holly Hills music man. When his golf swing was on he hit unbelievably drives off the T and fairway shots. The second T on the Golden Horseshoe which required three strokes off the T to get to the green, I saw Dan get on the green after his second shot. I miss the Dan of those days and hope he's hitting them off the T in Heaven. On rare occasions I would sneak over across the backyard and have a glass of wine with Dan on his back patio.

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

My condolences to Danny's family and friends. I met Danny when I transferred to IBM Mahwah in the "70's. We shared an office for several week. He was horrified that I didn't know who the Washington Redskins were and that I had no interest in football. But how could I not enjoy his enthusiasm and the football pool stats on the chalk board in our office. Farewell dear friend.

Many wonderful memories of someone who lived life with gusto. His infectious laugh and joy still bring a smile to our faces. May those memories bring comfort to his family.

I was so saddened to learn of Danny's passing. I knew him for over 50 years and he was a dear friend. He always was ready for anything fun. We shared an office together at one time at the IBM location in Mahwah, NJ and we would, of course, share music trivia often. I took pride when I stumped him - only once! He continued the friendships of the many people we met there through years of "Mahwah Melee" parties. He posted a video tribute for my 70th birthday and was so very gracious in his remarks. He will surely be missed by everyone who knew him.

We are so saddened by the loss. You are right, everyone loved Danny. This consumate music lover made an impact on so many lives. He will not be forgotten. Our love and sympathy go to all of his family.

So sorry to hear about Danny. Knew him from the late 60's at IBM in mahwah. Many fun memories from the annual mahwah melee. Will think of him often.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.