SALINA, KANSAS

MERLE ALVADORE HODGES, M.D., 83, passed away on April 23, 2017. Dr. Hodges was born on March 26, 1934 to Alva T. "Buck" and Kizzie Brubaker Hodges in Lawrence, Kansas. A multiple-sport varsity athlete, he graduated from Lawrence High School and attended the University of Kansas where he lettered in football. He married Nancy Jo Hutton in 1954 and graduated from the University of Kansas Medical School in 1958. Dr. Hodges served as a captain in the United States Air Force from 1959-1963 in Mobile, Alabama and was an active member of Saint Paul's Episcopal Church where he made many lifelong friends.

Following his Air Force service, Dr. Hodges returned to Saint Luke's Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri to complete his residency in obstetrics and gynecology. In 1966, he joined Dr. Norman Harris in practice in Salina. He also practiced with his son Dr. Merle J. "Boo" Hodges, until his retirement in 2012. Dr. Hodges was an ob/gyn for nearly fifty years and delivered thousands of babies.

Dr. Hodges served as a Salina City Commissioner from 1980-1988, including two terms as mayor. He also served on the Kansas Arts Commission and the Kansas Humanities Council. Dr. Hodges was a Civil War historian and artillery re-enactor, and was the recipient of the Order of Saint Barbara. He loved tending his hybrid roses, playing tennis and working on his model railroad. He was an active member of Christ Cathedral.

Dr. Hodges was preceded in death by his parents; brother Warren and sister-in-law Kathleen; sister Leta Mae Hodges Percival; and his beloved daughter Dr. Melissa Ann Hodges. He is survived by Nancy, his wife of sixty-four years; son Dr. Boo Hodges (Melissa Rose), Salina; granddaughter Elizabeth (Nicole) of Aspen, Colorado; grandsons Matthew (Bethany) of Salina, Ted of Kansas City, and Grant (Jillian) of Chicago; and great-grandsons Gage of Salina and Kai of Aspen; his brother Ervin Hodges (Shirley) of Lawrence; brother-in-law Ivan Percival of Texas; and sister-in-law Jane Hutton Stievater (Bob) of Eden, New York.

There will be no visitation and a private graveside service will be held. A memorial service to celebrate Dr. Hodges' life will be on Friday, April 28th at 3:00 p.m. at Christ Cathedral, 138 S. 8th Street in Salina. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Kansas Historical Society "Save the Flags" fund; the Salina Animal Shelter; or the KU K-Club in care of the Williams Fund at the University of Kansas. The Hodges family wishes to thank the staff of Holiday Resort for their excellent care and support.

Baker Funeral Home Valley Center has charge. Condolences may be left for the family at www.bakerfhvc.com