BENJAMIN HODGES, III Obituary

Benjamin Bryant Hodges, III, age 46, of Jacksonville, FL, passed away Saturday, July 5, 2025, at Baptist Beach Hospital in Jacksonville.

Funeral services for Mr. Hodges will be held on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at 3:00 PM at the Chapel of Evans-Skipper Funeral Home with Rev. Mike Herring, Luke Spooner,III, Corey Mincey, and Tommy Gentry officiating. Interment will follow in Friendship Cemetery with Luke Spooner, III, Brad Downing, Corey Mincey, Tommy Gentry, Jess Hodges, and Daniel Hodges serving as active pallbearers. Visitation will be held on Wednesday evening, July 9, 2025, from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at the funeral home.

Mr. Hodges was born on February 27, 1979, in Dothan, AL to Benny Bryant Hodges and Sharon Widner Hodges. Bryant played baseball and was coached by Billy Fain from the age of 5 until he entered high school. He then played on the local American Legion team until he graduated from high school and was coached by Dr. Mike Carr, Benny B. Hodges, and Johnny Crowdis. During Bryant’s senior year in high school, he was chosen to play on Team Georgia (High School Allstars). This team played in the Sunbelt Classic in Shawnee, OK and won the tournament. Bryant was the winning pitcher in two of those tournament games. He graduated from Seminole County High School in 1997 and was immediately drafted by the Florida Marlins; however, he chose to go to Tallahassee Community College instead, having earned a scholarship to play baseball. He later transferred to North Florida Community College in Madison, FL before transferring and completing his education at the University of West Georgia in Carrollton, GA. Bryant was blessed to have a true skill and ability, as well as the love for baseball and was able to attend all of these colleges on baseball scholarships. He held an Associates Degree from North Florida Community College and a Bachelors Degree in Physical Education from the University of West Georgia. Bryant went on to work as project manager for Cogburn Brothers Construction Company and was a member of the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local Union 234 in Jacksonville, FL. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Donalsonville. Bryant enjoyed hunting and fishing, he was an avid golfer, and loved outdoor cooking. He was an animal lover, often serving as a rescuer.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his parents, Benny B. Hodges and Sharon Widner Hodges; his sister, Marian Hunter and her husband Scott; his brother, Jacob Hodges; and nieces, Madison, Anna Reese, and Bristol Hunter. Also surviving is his loving companion of 16 years, Cheri Mallek; his uncle, Harris Hodges and wife Susan; his aunt, Deborah Sellers and husband Andy; and cousins, Jess Hodges and wife Lindsey, Leah Johnson and husband Phillip, Daniel Hodges and wife Jelli, and Cordy Widner. Bryant’s special rescued “fur babies”, Shannon and Boots, will miss him immensely.

Mr. Hodges was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Junior and Joan Widner; his paternal grandparents, Charlie Harris “Catfish” Hodges and Margueritte Hodges White and Dan White; and uncle, Terry Widner.