Thomas W. (Tom) Hodge

Thomas Weston Hodge, a pioneer in the early development of the North Georgia poultry industry, died October 6, 2012. He was a resident of Lanier Village Estates, in Gainesville.

For 25 years, Tom Hodge was president of Hodge & Murphy Poultry Company. In other business ventures he was President of Mulberry Farms and Braselton Packing Company, Manager of the Georgia Poultry Exchange and General Manager of Miller Poultry Company. He was an organizer of Lanier Park Hospital where he served on the board and as its Chairman. He also served on the board of both the Gainesville Planning Commission and the Gainesville-Hall County Development Authority.

A Navy veteran who served in the Pacific theater during World War II, he was a Commander of the Paul E. Bolding Post 7 of the American Legion. He was an Exalted Ruler of the Gainesville Elks Club #1126. He was past president of the Gainesville Civitan Club, the Rifle and Pistol Club, and the North Georgia Sportsmans Club.

A member of the Gainesville First Presbyterian Church, he had served as an Elder, Deacon, Sunday School Superintendent, and on various boards at the Presbytery and Synod level. He also was a Trustee of the Presbyterian Home, in Quitman, Georgia.

Born in South Carolina, Mr. Hodge was raised in Gainesville by an aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. J. Larry Kleckley. He attended Gainesville High School, and graduated from Presbyterian College. He served on the founding board of Lakeview Academy.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Frances Powell Hodge, and his three children and their spouses Tom and Cathy Hodge of Athens, GA, Helen and Rodger Fuller of Hartsville, SC, and Jack and Patsy Hodge of Gainesville, and 8 granddaughters, 1 grandson and 1 great-grandson.

Services will be held on Tuesday October 9 at First Presbyterian Church in Gainesville at 11:00 a.m. There will be a visitation from 4:00 until 6:00 on Monday at Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel 989 Riverside Drive Gainesville, Ga 30501

On line condolences may be made at memorialparkfuneralhomes.com

In lieu of flowers the family has asked that those wishing to make a donation to consider Eagle Ranch P.O. Box 7200 Chestnut Mountain Ga, 30602-0500, Good News Clinics or a charity of their choice.