Charles Bernard Hodson
CHAPEL HILL -- Charles Bernard Hodson, long-time Chapel Hill attorney, died Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Durham. He was 86.
Born March 7, 1925 in San Antonio, Texas, Charlie came to Chapel
Hill as an undergraduate at UNC.
There he met his future wife, Virginia, who was working in her
sister's flower shop.
Plans to attend law school were postponed by service in the U.S.
Marine Corps, where he proudly served in the Pacific Theater of
WWII.
- Charles served in the South Pacific and participated in operations on the islands of Guam, Iwo Jima and Chichi Jima
Upon discharge, Charlie returned to North
Carolina to finish his education, eventually starting a private
practice in Chapel Hill, where he made his home.
Service-oriented and having a strong sense of social justice,
Charlie strove to help his clients in any way he could, often
working for trade or pro bono.
His practice often took him away from home and family; an
unmistakable figure in cowboy boots and hat well known throughout
the state.
Charlie was an active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
and the American Legion, where he served as State Commander in 1972.
Loyal to his fellow vets, he was also loyal to his alma mater. A
true-blue Carolina Tar Heels fan, Charlie attended as many games as
he could.
He is survived by his wife, Virginia; his son, Charles Bernard II;
daughter, Vickie (Hoff and husband, Don); and three grandchildren,
April and Jonathon Hoff and Cinnamon Fischer, all of Chapel Hill.
Memorial services will be held on Sunday February 27, 2011 at
Walkers Funeral Home, 120 W. Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, at 3 p.m.
and will be officiated by Garland Neville, member, American Legion
Post 6 and Post Chaplain, VFW Post 9100.