Herman Hodde, Jr.

Herman Hodde, Jr. went to his heavenly home on January 26, 2024. Herman was born January 24, 1936 in the area of Wellston, Oklahoma. During his early school years, he attended a one-room schoolhouse. He talked about taking a shortcut to school and making a mad dash through a fenced-in area containing a big fast bull. His parents then moved to McLoud where he played baseball and basketball and graduated in 1955.

He married his sweetheart, Mildred Loman on July 3, 1958. He worked for the McLoud Lumberyard before he went to work at McLoud School maintenance department. He worked at Tinker Air Force Base for a brief time and then returned to McLoud School. He is most remembered for driving a school bus where he impacted the lives of many students. He retired after giving 39 years of service to McLoud Schools. However, the job he truly loved was working part-time for McKinley Farms. Throughout his career, he always had a love for farming and the McKinley family provided him with an outlet for that passion. 

He served his community as a volunteer firefighter for more than 20 years.

He was a member of the Lutheran Church but had attended First Baptist Church, McLoud for many years. He frequently talked about the Lord's Prayer as his favorite passage. He was looking forward to seeing his passed loved ones in heaven. His regret was to leave his loved ones here on earth. 

Herman was inducted into the Redskins Remember Honor Roll in 2005 for his dedicated service to McLoud Schools. He was honored to be recognized by the McLoud Athletic Hall of Fame in 2023. 

His hobbies included farming, gardening, playing golf, watching his children and grandchildren play ball, and he loved watching basketball on TV. He loved family gatherings, especially large reunions and handing out candy to children at Halloween. 

He is survived by his wife, Millie of 65 years, his son, Gary and wife Janet of McLoud and son, Kent and wife Wanda of Shawnee. They have four grandchildren, Candice Karas and husband Jon of Texas, Taylor Hodde of McLoud, Caitlin Kauffman and husband Chase of Newalla, and Connor Hodde and wife Leticia of Edmond. They were blessed with four great-grandchildren, Ainsley and Dax Karas and Brooks and Blakely Kauffman. Preceding him in death are his parents, Henry and Juanita Hodde, step-father, William (Bill) Hodde, a sister, Evelyn and her husband Melvin Wallis and a brother, Paul Dean.  

Viewing will take place at First Baptist Church in McLoud and the dates and times are as follows: Tuesday, January 30th from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm; Wednesday, January 31st from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm with family present to greet friends from 5-7pm; and on Thursday, February 1st from 9:00 am to service time. 

A funeral ceremony for Herman will be held on Thursday, February 1, 2024 at 1:00 pm at the First Baptist Church in McLoud. Following the ceremony, he will be laid to rest at Dale Cemetery. 

Pallbearers will be: Connor Hodde, Jonathan Karas, Chase Kauffman, Gerad McKinley, Gavin McKinley, and Jack Miller.

Honorary Pallbearers will be: Dean Hill, Perry McKinley, Nathan Raines, Bill Walker, Charlie Williams, and Walter Murchel.