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Celebrating the life of John Howard Hodges.
Agreed to by the Senate, March 10, 2026
WHEREAS, John Howard Hodges, an esteemed public servant and former vice mayor of the Town of Ashland, devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and beloved member of the Ashland community, died on August 1, 2025; and
WHEREAS, John Hodges graduated from Arundel High School in Gambrills, Maryland, in 1966 and attended the University of Virginia on a Reserve Officers' Training Corps scholarship, where he lettered in soccer; and
WHEREAS, John Hodges served the country with honor and distinction as a captain in the United States Army's First Infantry Division and returned to the University of Virginia to complete his master's degree in urban planning; and
WHEREAS, John Hodges began his career at Harland Bartholomew and Associates in Richmond before devoting three decades to the community of Hanover County, including 16 years as the director of planning and 12 years as deputy county administrator; and
WHEREAS, John Hodges gave generously of his time for the benefit of the community through his involvement with the Hanover and King William Habitat for Humanity and the Ashland Kiwanis Club; and
WHEREAS, John Hodges was initially appointed to the Ashland Town Council to fill an unexpired term in August 2017 and was elected to that same seat in May of the following year, when he was also elected by his peers to serve as the council's vice mayor; and
WHEREAS, John Hodges proudly represented his constituents for two terms on the Ashland Town Council and worked tirelessly to encourage the locality's success, including through his advocacy on local and regional groups such as PlanRVA, the Richmond Regional Transportation Planning Organization, and the Central Virginia Transportation Authority, which recently presented him their Lifetime Achievement Award; and
WHEREAS, John Hodges was a steadfast advocate for initiatives to support the growth and development of Ashland, including the redevelopment of the Carter Park Pool and the new Town Hall; and
WHEREAS, John Hodges will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his loving wife of 54 years, Vandivere; his children, John and Benjamin, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of Virginia hereby note with great sadness the loss of John Howard Hodges, a treasured member of the Ashland community whose legacy of service and dedication will forever inspire all who knew him; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of John Howard Hodges as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's respect for his memory.