Class of 1951
1951 Maroon Spotlight
Danny Hodge
D. E. 50-51; F. F. A. 49-51; Football 49-51; Wrestling 47-51; Wrestling Captain 50-51.
Dan Allen Hodge
May 13, 1932 – December 24, 2020
Dan Allen Hodge, 88, of Perry has gone to heaven. Dan was born on May 13, 1932, the son of William Edward Hodge and Hazel Erma Blanchard Hodge in Perry, Oklahoma. He was raised in Perry attending school here and graduating from Perry High School in 1951. Just a few months later, on August 2, 1951, he married his high school sweetheart, Dolores Bradshaw.
On August 29, 1951, Dan joined the United States Navy where he proudly served for over 2 years. It was during his time in the Navy that he represented the United States on the 1952 Olympic wrestling team. After his tour of duty was completed, he attended the University of Oklahoma in Norman. During his collegiate days he was a three-time national wrestling champion and represented the United States in the 1956 Olympics, earning a silver medal. In 1957, he earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma.
Dan worked in the oil and gas industry, but he was best known for his work in the entertainment industry as a professional wrestler. He was a loving father and grandfather and was happiest when surrounded by his children and grandchildren, playing cards at a large round coffee table in the family’s den. Dan enjoyed woodworking and would often help his daughter with crafts and would help his sons with home improvement projects. Dan enjoyed hunting rabbits and squirrels or bigger game like deer, but truly enjoyed fishing. He would fish with his sons and with his grandchildren for bass, crappie and most of all for catfish.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Erma, and brothers William Hodge, Jr., and Jackie Hodge.
He leaves behind his wife Dolores of the home, son Dan Hodge, Jr., and his wife Lynn of Perry, daughter Linda Cline and her husband Kerry of Perry, son Michael Hodge and his wife Melanie of Perry, grandchildren: Stephen Hodge and his wife Amber, Patrick Hodge and his wife Blake, Stacy Wilson and her husband Bryan, Tyler Cline and his wife Karlee, Leslea Wagner and her husband Colby, Brent Hodge and his wife Jordan, and Clinton Hodge and his wife Ashley. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren: Jaden, Cortnea, Camryn, Carder, Jackson, Hollie, Harper, Lillie, and Rylee; as well as his sister Louise Lovecamp of Oklahoma City.
Funeral services are private nuclear family only. Memorials can be made to the Dan Hodge Trust at Exchange Bank of Perry P. O. Box 797, Perry, OK 73077.