Samuel Carter Hodges, Jr

DURHAM – Samuel Carter Hodges Jr., Architect Emeritus, age 84, died Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at his residence. Born on August 10, 1930 in Durham, North Carolina, Sam was the son of the late Samuel C. Hodges, Sr., and Martha Alise Hodnett Hodges.

Sam attended E. K. Powe School and Durham High school, graduating in 1948. He received a Bachelor of Architecture from North Carolina State School of Design in 1953 and was finalist in the 1952 Paris Prize competition. He received a Master of City and Regional Planning from the University of North Carolina in 1964.

In 1954, Sam married Doris Louise Moore of Kinston, NC. Serving as a captain in the US Army Corps of Engineers, Sam was stationed in Fort Rucker, AL., Fort Belvoir, VA, and South Korea. Afterwards, Sam and Doris made their home in Durham, NC.

After being licensed to practice architecture 1956, Sam worked for 10 years at architectural firms in the Research Triangle area. During that time, he contributed to a twenty-year master plan for state government facilities in Raleigh and to the architectural plans for the original building of Wake County Medical Center.

In 1967, Sam opened his own architectural practice in Durham and designed private residences, condominium and apartment buildings, commercial buildings, and churches, including Glendale Heights United Methodist Church. Early in his practice he prepared access plans for nuclear fallout shelters in Durham, Wake and Gaston counties, and later he designed preliminary plans for a Peace Core school in rural Gabon, Africa, focusing on locally available building materials. He also served as president of the Durham Council of Architects. He retired in 2013.

A member of Trinity United Methodist Church since his childhood, Sam met Doris there when she joined in 1955. They have been members of Glendale Heights United Methodist Church since its founding in 1959. Sam was an active member, serving on several church boards, and was elected as president of the local United Methodist Men, Durham District President, North Carolina Conference President, and as a member of the Southeast Jurisdiction UMM Board, where he received The James Award. Additionally, Sam served as a board member and president of the Interfaith Hospitality Network, which serves local homeless families. He was also a member of the Jaycees.

While living in Trinity Park, Sam served as a board member and president of both the Trinity Park Association Board and the Trinity Park Foundation and for several years as Chairman of the Mayor’s Tree Committee.

A Boy Scout during his youth, Sam received the Order of the Arrow. As a parent, he served as a leader, committee member and assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 440. He also served as an assistant scout master and scout committee member for Troup 475 at Glendale Heights United Methodist Church.

In later years, Sam and Doris enjoyed extensive travel, including trips to 24 European countries, Canada, Mexico and the western United States. More recent trips have included visits to children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and other friends and relatives.

Surviving, in addition to Doris, are five children; Doris Alise Hodges (Willis A. Connell) of Stokes, NC, Kathryn Gwynne Hodges (R. Stephen Smith) of Chatham County NC, Susan Carolyn Hodges (Kenneth R. Parham, Jr.) of Durham County, NC, Virginia Lee Hodges (Jason E. Weidenfeld) of Wheaton, MD, and Samuel C. Hodges, III (Nancy Marie Betler) of Charlotte, NC. There are nine grandchildren, Carolyn, Elizabeth, Brian, Andy, Kevin, Carter, Alexandra, Borie, and Estelle; and two great grandsons, Leland and John Willis.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00pm Friday, May 1, 2015 at Hall-Wynne Funeral Service.

A memorial services will be held 4:00pm Saturday, May 2, 2015 at Glendale Heights United Methodist Church. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Sam to Glendale Heights United Methodist Church, 908 Leon St., Durham, NC.

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