A.W. Hodde, Jr.

A. W. Hodde, Jr. died on August 11, 2021 at the age of 95 years. He was born in Brenham, Texas on November 17, 1925 to A. W. and Norma Hartstack Hodde. He attended Brenham Schools, and when he graduated from high school in May of 1943, he immediately enlisted in the U.S. Navy. After completing Basic Training, he was assigned to Gunner's Mate School, from which he graduated as Valedictorian of his class. A. W. was then assigned to be an instructor at the Naval Gunnery Range at La Jolla, California. After serving six months as an instructor, he was assigned to the U.S. Hugh W. Hadley DD-774, a destroyer, which ship was credited with shooting down 23 Japanese planes in one day--more than any other ship in the fleet—on May 11, 1945. The Hadley was finally hit by three Japanese suicide planes, and approximately 40% of the crew members on the Hadley were either injured or killed. After his discharge from the Navy, Hodde attended Blinn College, the University of Texas, and graduated from the Baylor Law School. Hodde then entered the practice of law with his father. He was appointed County Attorney of Washington County and served for 5 years. He then resigned and entered the practice of law as a sole practitioner until his nephew, L.J. Lacina, Jr., obtained his law license and practiced with him until Hodde’s retirement in 1994.

Hodde enjoyed participating in sports. He played tennis, bowled, played golf and hunted. His favorite was quail hunting, which he did as long as he could walk behind a bird dog and climb barbed wire fences. Then he became a deer hunter.

Hodde served as president of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, Exalted Ruler of Brenham Lodge 979 BPO Elks, president of the Sons of Hermann, and was on the boards of directors of The First National Bank of Brenham and Blue Bell Creameries for over 25 years. He also taught night classes at Blinn for several years, teaching mostly Korean War Veterans.

On February 29, 1952, he married the love of his life, Virginia Kessel, who survives him. He is also survived by children, Gwen Spiess and husband, Donald; James Hodde and wife, Lynnette, all of Brenham; Dr. Lefayne Hodde, and Sarah Morgan of Austin; and Robert B. Hodde of Victoria; grandchildren Alison Loughlin and husband Thomas of The Woodlands; Adam W. Spiess of Flower Mound; and Halen and Harper Hodde of Victoria. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Louise Kessel; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Ben and Carolyn Kessel; and by nephews and nieces Johnny, Tim, Lorna, Lou, Pam, and Marcy.

Hodde was baptized and confirmed in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Brenham and joined the First United Methodist Church of Brenham upon his marriage and has been a faithful member for over 69 years.

Visitation will be held on Friday August 20th from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. at Brenham Memorial Chapel. There will be a private family burial.

Memorials may be given to the charity of your choice.