Gilbert Edgar Hodges

 Gilbert Edgar Hodges was born on January 26th, 1936 in San Antonio, Texas.  The following is an excerpt taken from his Baby Book:

“Little Gilbert took his first ride in an automobile (a terraplane) when Brother Ball brought us home from his birthplace on the night of February 8th.  He has had many trips downtown in our car since then.

On March 6th he was taken to board the train at San Antonio for San Francisco.  He was a real good boy all of the way except for the last day, when he was not getting enough milk.  He rode most of the way in his little basket, and in the seat with another lady (whose name we did not learn), but she paid quite a little attention to him.  

On March 26th he embarked on the “Vancouver” with his parents [Melvin and Lois Hodges] for Central America.  He was exceptionally good, but had to remain in the cabin most of the time with Chicken Pox.  The ship wrecked on April 5th and he journeyed on a special train to the capital of El Salvador.  Two days later he rode in his basket on the train to Santa Ana.  The sparks from the train burned 3 holes in his little dress.”  

Travel and adventure would remain a constant for Gilbert all of his life.  From Central America, to Idaho, to the East Coast, and all over the Midwest, he finally settled in Central Florida in 2006, perhaps craving the tropic temperatures of his youth.  Gilbert “Gil” “Gib” passed away the morning of November 3, 2022 at home in Lake Placid, Florida with his Wife Rachael by his side.  He leaves behind his wife, 6 Children, 3 Stepchildren, 22 Grandchildren and 14 Great Grandchildren.  Gil’s final weeks were filled with the love of friends and family who came to comfort and say goodbye.

Gil was the youngest of three children born to Lois and Melvin Hodges.  Gil’s sister’s, Miriam and Phyllis, preceded him in death as well as his parents.  Lois and Melvin were prominent Missionaries for the Assemblies of God Church based in Springfield, Missouri.  The entire family participated in the dangerous, rewarding, and complicated life of being Missionaries.  Melvin was an author, professor, and Head of Latin American Missionaries for the Assemblies.  The children spent much of their childhood in Central America.  The children revered their parents.  Though Mission work meant that they were often separated, they never questioned the importance of spreading the Gospel.  When the children were older they went to live with a variety of friends and relatives in the U.S.  The childhood adventures of Hodges kids are too numerous to list, but they included everything from pet monkeys to bouts of malaria.  Gil relayed previously unknown stories right up to the end, such as flying Piper Cub airplanes at the age of 14 with his pilot neighbor.  His life seemed to exist somewhere between The Mosquito Coast, Swiss Family Robinson, Huckleberry Finn, The Jungle Book and the Bible itself.  It was the intensity of these early years that forged an unyielding Faith, which carried him through the many trials of his life.  Complementing this firm, serious faith was a curious, child-like spirit.  Gil had a sizable ambition that was tempered by a sincere desire to serve.

Gil joined the Army as he left his teen years and would achieve the rank of Staff Sergeant.  He served the Signal Corps in Fort Monmouth, New Jersey.  Gil learned how to serve and command in this time.  This service, combined with his mother’s cooking and the Latin flavors of his youth led to a lifetime love of the Culinary Arts.  

Gil met Linda Stokes when they were both working at Leroy’s Drive Inn in Springfield MO.  They married in 1957.  They began their family with the arrival of their first daughter, Pamela in 1958.  Over the next 16 years they would add 5 more children to the bunch: Stephen, Julie, Jennifer, Kimberly, and Scott.  The Hodges Family moved around quite a bit in those early years.  Gil was Executive Chef at a series of prestigious stops, cooking for Heads of State and local Dignitaries.  In the mid 1970’s they settled in Virginia Illinois, moving into the big white house on Beardstown Street.  Linda and Gil took over “Rossi’s” restaurant on Virginia’s square.  They renamed it “The Virginia Inn”.  This would be a peak in Gil’s Culinary career as he was finally in full control of his vision.  Adaptation and Creativity allowed him to offer a small-town diner during the week and then transform the Inn to an upscale buffet on the weekends.  Gil and Linda were a great team and the entire family pitched in to make it work.  Based on the success of the Virginia Inn, Gil opened a Fine Dining establishment in the historic Park House Hotel in Beardstown, IL.  The endeavor delighted local diners, but it proved to be too much of an undertaking.  Over time the partnership with Linda and the Virginia Inn ended in the 1980’s.  The years after Virginia would be very challenging for Gil.  Chef jobs would take him from Illinois to Texas and back again. He tried to figure out what came next for him and how to stay connected to his children and their growing families.  His love for Jesus sustained him and Gil maintained a steadiness that would be the foundation for what was to come.  

Gil genuinely loved to feed people.  He considered good hospitality the highest honor you could show another human.  “One of my biggest rewards is making people happy.” He said in an interview in 1986.  He would continue to give his time to ministries such as Light for the Lost and he specialized at cooking great food for an enormous amount of people.   His connections in Evangelical circles would eventually lead him to Lake Williamson Christian Camp in Carlinville, IL.  Working here, he met the widow Rachael Peterson and her three sons: D’Wayne, Pete and Wes.  Rachael and Wes lived in the same apartment building as Gil on Lake Williamson.  God had plans for Gil and Rachael, and after some reluctance, Rachael permitted Gil to court her.  Gil and Rachael would marry in 1992.  This union with Rachael would prove to be the most important event in an already eventful life.  The two families did not cohesively blend right away, but over time a bond began to form that all the Peterson and Hodges kin would come to lean on.  Taking Rachael as his bride led to a deepening of Gil’s faith that would allow him to become the Man of Christ he had always longed to be.  Their commitment to service, their love of the Bible, and their heart for those around them made their marriage something far greater than each of them could have achieved on their own.  Leaning on their union, Gil and Rachael opened a restaurant together in Carlinville called Side-Trax.  This allowed Gil to scratch several itches, one being his love of trains.  In 2006, Gil and Rachael moved to Lake Placid Florida to work at Lake Placid Camp and Conference Center.  

Though in his 70’s, Gil along with Rachael worked very hard, as they had their entire lives.  Gil worked well past his Retirement party and his 85th Birthday.  This final chapter in Lake Placid was a profound one.  Gil and Rachael were inseparable and an extraordinary example of a true marital partnership.  Many came to rely on the generosity of the couple.  They were a force in their church and a staple at the local food shelter.  Gil and Rachael LOVE Jesus and his love spilled out of them at every opportunity.  Gil was honored to be called Chef for his whole career but becoming an Ordained Minister with Rachael was the perfect Capstone to his work.  Becoming a Pastor/Preacher allowed him to walk right into his father’s footsteps, teaching and ministering to those in need.  This included weekly trips to the local prison to serve the inmates and study the Bible with them.  Even in his literal final days on earth, he was bringing people to know Jesus.

The Peterson Boys would have a profound effect on Gil as he learned how to be a different kind of father.  Their energy and enthusiasm brought out a different side and he was overjoyed to call the boys “sons”.  They lovingly added “Pops” to his many monikers.  D’Wayne has been married to Jen for almost 30 years.  Pete and Claudia are newlyweds recently tying the knot in August.  Wes and Robin hit 25 years of marriage in 2022.

Gil gained even more children along the way and loved the “In Laws” just as much as his own.  Pamela married Gary Wright in 2007, and sadly he passed in 2012.  Stephen and Rhonda Hodges have been married for over 40 years. Julie and Gary Lemberg for 20 years.  Jenny Hodges is a newlywed marrying Steve Sommers in October.  Kim has been married to Michael Suchanek for 26 years. Scott and Celeste Hodges for 25 years.

Gil LOVED sports and competition of any kind, but particularly the 11-time World Champion Saint Louis Cardinals.  He was an exceptional Ping Pong Player and Chess Opponent.  In both he sought not only to win, but to frustrate you with his moves.  He must have loved golf too because he kept playing despite never improving.  

Gil lived a life perpetually in awe of how God worked.  From the smallest kindness to genuine miracles, he was always ready to praise God.  Gil never ceased in expressing his love for his friends and family.  Whether you were a dishwasher or a Great Grandchild, you always left his presence knowing that he was proud of you.  Always a great encourager, if you were excited about something, so was he.

The Four Pillars of Gilbert Edgar’s life were: Faith, Family, Food and Fundamentally Awful Humor.  Gil could engage you with a painful joke or a painful hug.  He would love you with a tender verse or a comforting meal.  Gil was a life-long learner, endlessly curious, open, and silly.  It is a testament to the depth of his character and convictions that such a playful man could live such a profound life of service.  Gilbert Edgar had an enormous impact and will be greatly missed.  As he leaves this world, he also leaves a great legacy of love, service, and laughter. These gifts will continue in the lives of those that loved him.