Louis Wendell Hodges, 83, of Lexington, Virginia, died Monday, February 8, 2016 at Heritage Hall.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Helen Davis Hodges; sons, John Hodges and wife, Linda, Glendale Arizona, and George Hodges and wife, Nina, Arab Alabama; sister, Mary Aycock, Prairie Grove Arkansas; one grandchild, Christine Hodges; two stepgrandchildren, Shelly Farrington and Troy Baintor; nine stepgreat-grandchildren, and six stepgreat-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces; and nephews.
Lou was born on January 24, 1933 in Eupora Mississippi; he was a graduate Millsaps College, Duke Divinity School, and Duke Graduate school with a PhD in Theology.
He was an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church.
He joined the religion department at Washington and Lee University in 1960. In 1974 he created an ethics program entitled Society and the Professions, conducting seminars for undergraduates in Medicine, Law, Business, and Journalism.
From 1981 to 1986, he was Academic Director of the institute for Executives held in the summer. He taught at the Poynter Institute for Media Studies in Florida in 1985. In 1987, he was named a Fellow at the Hastings Center, New York and appointed the Fletcher Odie Thomas Professor of Religion at W&L.
(In an Advisory Committee memorandum to President John Wilson, John W. Elrod said of Louis; "His most distinctive accomplishment in his long career at Washington and Lee is his success with students and alumni in helping them to think critically and systematically about ethical issues in the professions.)
During the winter of 1995-1996, he was the Fulbright Scholar in Journalism Ethics appointed to Osmania University in Hyderabad, India, visiting 17 different universities and meeting with the press Council of India during his four month stay.
In 1997 he was appointed Knight Professor of Journalism Ethics at Washington and Lee, retiring from the university in that position in 2003.
While at W&L, Lou gave numerous Baccalaureate addresses and was known as the unofficial chaplain to many students and personnel. He often performed weddings and funerals when called upon.
After retiring, he returned for temporary appointments as visiting professor of Society and the Professions and summer programs.
Louis was known throughout the area as guest minister in numerous churches.
His community involvement Lexington Rockbridge United Fund, 1972; President, Rockbridge Area Housing Corporation, 1968-1974; and unofficial advisor to the Rockbridge Area Hospice organizers, 1982-1992, for whom he organized and taught a seven week class on "Serving the Dying".
His love of hunting led him to his part-time job as gunsmith, and with his tradecraft rebuilt and repaired many guns for his satisfied customers. An interest in Beekeeping provided many gifts of honey to friends and family, pollination of Rockbridge County crops, and Bee education to local school children and youth camps.
A special "thank you" is given to Christine Hopkins, a home aide from the Maury River Home Care, who in six months became as close as family. Thanks also to the wonderful staff at Heritage Hall and the Rockbridge Area Hospice. A service will be held at the Lexington Trinity United Methodist Church, on Saturday, February 13, 2016 at 2 p.m. with the Reverand Norman Tippens officiating. Interment will be private. The family will receive friends in the church Fellowship Hall following the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Washington & Lee University or Rockbridge Area Hospice.
Arrangements are being made by Harrison Funeral Home, Lexington VA.
