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By Melanie Davis, in the Watauga Democrat (20 March 2009)
After 16 years of service to
Watauga County, Glenn Hodges will retire as
clerk of court and judge of probate.
His court career began in 1992, upon the death of clerk John Bingham. There
were two years remaining in Bingham’s term.
As an active member of the Democratic Party, Hodges was asked to run in the
two-year election. He was elected and ran again at the expiration of the two
years. The 1994 election was the last time Hodges had an opponent in the race.
Multiple reelections have made Hodges the longest serving elected official in
Watauga; however, that run is coming to an end on March 31.
“During my last election I made it clear I intended to serve the entire
four-year term, but personal circumstances have altered that goal,” Hodges
said.
Hodges is a Watauga
County native, born in
the Oak Grove community. Following high school graduation, he enlisted in the
U.S. Army and served in Korea.
When he returned home, Hodges became an employee of IRC Inc., an
electronics-component manufacturing firm in Boone. Later, Hodges attended
Appalachian State University and returned to IRC after earning a degree in
industrial arts.
Hodges remained with the company for 34 years. He was employed as the
manufacturing plant manager at the time of his election as clerk of court.
He said that his involvement with the Democratic Party has lessened since his
election as clerk of court. “I feel strongly there shouldn’t be politics in the
clerk’s office,” he said. “We are here to serve all the citizens.”
A widower, Hodges was married for 48 years to Betty Ann Hagaman Hodges. The
couple had three children.
Gerald is now a pastor at Westwood
Baptist Church
in Roxboro. His daughters have remained in the High Country. Anna Lynn Turner
is an employee of social services. Carol Lea Liles serves as the manager of
BB&T bank in Avery
County.
Hodges refers to the employees in the clerk’s office as his adopted family.
“I leave to the people of Watauga
County a well-trained and
experienced staff,” Hodges said. “The kindness and compliments directed to me
and this office over the years is a direct reflection on the effort and
attitude of my assistants and deputy clerks.”
Hodges says he leaves many friends at retirement, co-workers, lawyers,
magistrates, judges, administrators and law enforcement officers.
“The support and cooperation I have received from all of these have made my job
more productive, and more effective for the entire county,” he said. “I take
with me into retirement a sense of accomplishment as the clerk of court. We
have seen many changes and witnessed a steady growth in all areas of
court-related activities over the years.”
His successor has not yet been named for the position. Senior resident Superior
Court Judge James L. Baker is responsible for the appointment of a person to
serve the remainder of Hodges term. The position will be up for reelection in
November 2010.
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