Roll Call Tribute

Published in GoSanAngelo from Aug. 20 to Aug. 23, 2014

Thomas Jon Hodnett
SAN ANGELO Thomas Jon Hodnett, 43, of Mertzon, Texas, went to Wyalusing, Pennsylvania, hoping to use his energy and experience on a pipeline there. His spirit left his body sometime between Aug. 8 and Aug. 14, 2014, in Johnson City, New York. Jon's energy has returned to the Divine Energy to help out in whatever way needed. He left this world knowing our love for him and his love for us will never die. Memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 25, 2014, at First United Methodist Church in Mertzon, Texas. Pastor Mark Smith will officiate. "I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death. They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make. Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories. We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having shared their love." Leo Buscaglia Jon was born on Jan. 22, 1971, in Midland, Texas, to Thomas Fredrick (Rick) Hodnett and Lexie Jane (Wilson) Hodnett. He came into this world as a small six pound baby, but the truth soon became obvious that this bundle of joy was going to be a handful. Two months after his birth the family moved from Midland into a ranch house on the Williams sisters' property just across the Irion County line in Schleicher County. During the family's southeast migration, while in his mother's arms as she tried to drive the 150-mile trek, the best description of him then and forever after has always been "constant motion." He graduated from Irion County High School in 1989, received an associate's degree in electrical power distribution at Texas State Technical College and later graduated with a Bachelor of Science in parks recreation and tourism from Texas A&M University. Jon said "my degree is in having fun and enjoying life in the outdoors." Jon grew up on the ranch riding a bike with solid rubber tires on caliche roads, swimming in the stock tank, playing with his pets and Hot Wheels toy cars. At ages 3 and 4, he immediately started trying to help his dad, granddad and Uncle Dave work stock. If they were marking lambs, Jon would grab one by the leg and hold on while being drug face down through all the ewes, lambs and manure. Usually a catcher would come to Jon's aid and take the lamb from him, but he would hang in there and hang on until he got help. Then he'd get up, brush himself off and go after another one. Hanging in and hanging on became a trademark in life as well as getting back up and getting in there. After starting to drive at the age of 6 or 7, Jon loved riding motorcycles, 4-wheelers, jet skis or pretty much anything that kept the wind in his face and the thrill in his heart. Growing up on a ranch not only builds strength, it builds character and Jon was one heck of a character. He was one of those head-strong, full speed ahead country boys that excelled in football, track, backing into others with his truck, running over deer that thought they could cross the road in front of him or hanging out with friends while his truck was being repaired. Jon's adventuresome spirit led him to travel often for both work and pleasure and a spontaneous road trip or weekend getaway to some coastal area was not unusual. Jon made lots of friends everywhere he went and he went everywhere as often as he could. He loved visiting his Uncle Haley, Aunt Edda and cousin Claes in California. He drove 18-wheelers, worked on a barge laying pipe in the Gulf of Mexico and his last job with Pipeline Safety and Compliance took him to places in both Oklahoma and Kansas. He loved watching any and all football, especially A&M. Nothing pleased him more than being able to go to an A&M football game. He bled maroon. Jon is survived and will be missed by his parents, Rick and Lexie Hodnett of Mertzon; his sister, Lexie Jan (Hodnett) Wiley of San Angelo; three nieces, Acacia, Shaylan and Zoeana Wiley of San Angelo; uncle Dave and aunt Peggy Wilson of Mertzon; aunt Karen and uncle Jimmy Madry of Big Spring; aunt Edda Hodnett of San Diego, California; cousins Paige (Wilson) Chambers and husband Ryan of Fort Worth, Connor Wilson of San Angelo, David Ryan Wilson and wife Monica of Mertzon, Kenda (Madry) McDonnell and husband Neil of New Canaan, Connecticut, Kimberly (Madry) Pollard and husband Bill of Big Spring, Claes Hodnett and wife Lamora of Burbank, California; as well as special friend Stacy Parker of Baton Rogue, Louisiana; and special friend Hollyann Davis and her three children, Aaron, Misty and Pricilla of Kilgore, Texas. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, D.J. and Lorena Wilson of Mertzon and Merle Francis and Nadine Hodnett of Big Spring; as well as his uncle, Haley L. Hodnett of San Diego. The family suggests memorials to the Alice B. Haynes Memorial Scholarship Fund at Howard College, 1001 Birdwell Lane, Big Spring, TX 79720; or First United Methodist Church of Mertzon, TX 76941. Arrangements under the direction of Johnson's Funeral Home Family and friends may express condolences and sign the online guestbook at johnsons-funeralhome.com.
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Johnson's Funeral Home death notice
435 West Beauregard, San Angelo, TX 76903 | 325-655-3113

Thomas Jon Hodnett
January 22, 1971 - August 14, 2014

Arrangements under the direction of Johnson's Funeral Home, San Angelo, TX.