Hodgson Thomas

Henry Hodgson Thomas, 96, who was born on June 18, 1924 in Decatur, Georgia to James Henry Thomas and Lillie Perdue Thomas passed away on March 5, 2021. He was predeceased by his 2 sisters Hazel Alletha Thomas and Lucy Thomas Patrick.

Hodgson grew up in Decatur where he excelled as a student at Glenwood Elementary and Decatur Boys High School (1941) (National Honor Society, ROTC, Boxing Team). After high school, Hodgson attended Georgia Tech for roughly a year before enlisting in the U.S. Navy. He served in both the Atlantic and Pacific Campaigns, most notably at the Southern French Invasion and the Battle of Okinawa. Following the war, Hodgson attended the University of Georgia, graduated in 1948, and began working for Southern Bell Telephone Company. Hodgson worked his entire 40-year career with Southern Bell where he was an active and popular member of the Telephone Pioneers. He served as Dogwood Chapter Pioneer President shortly before his retirement in 1987.

As anyone who knew Hodgson can attest, he had an incredibly big heart and kind spirit. He loved humor, was quick with a joke or a story and just had a natural gift to make others feel like a priority. Unlike many people, Hodgson had no real hobbies of his own. His passion was his wife of 62 years, Dawn Atkinson Thomas (d. 2017) and his sons; whatever they got involved in, he did as well and many benefited from his natural talents and professional skills. Although not a Boy Scout himself as a child, Hodgson thoroughly embraced the organization and served in a variety of leadership roles culminating in his receiving the highest acknowledgement of a volunteer leader, the Silver Beaver Award. His lifetime of Christian faith and service were evidenced in a number of church related leadership positions including the role of Trustee, Elder, Deacon, Treasurer, Sunday School teacher and numerous other class level roles. Outside of the church activities, he served as a high school PTA President and Treasurer, USO Volunteer, BellSouth Pioneer, Life Member of the American Legion, 70 year Mason, and active volunteer for numerous other community related efforts. Hodgson and Dawn provided a lifetime living example of love, support, commitment, and encouragement for their many friends and family. They will be dearly missed.

Hodgson Thomas is survived by his five sons, and their lovely caring wives all of whom he also loved dearly, Bill (Mitzi), Jacksonville, FL; David, Atlanta, GA; Bob (Debbie), Suwanee, GA; Stan (Robin), Hidden Hills, CA; and Steve (Bethany), Woodstock, GA, as well as his 10 grandsons who were such a joy to him - Derek, Sam (Alex), Chase, Caleb, Kyle, Logan, Peyton, Dillon, Christopher and Clayton.

Visitation will be held Saturday March 13, 2021 at 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM at A.S. Turner Funeral Home, 2773 N Decatur Rd., Decatur, GA 30033 with services to follow in the A.S. Turner Chapel and internment at Decatur Cemetery. The service will begin at 2:00 PM and will be conducted by Dr. Gil Watson. For COVID-safe practices, seating will be limited in person. You are more than welcome to watch the service from home to stay safe and keep others safe. Please visit www.asturner.com and go to Hodgson’s obituary for online streaming information.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations may be made to Longleaf Hospice Foundation, the USO, or Wellroot Family Services.