Dean Hodges, 83, Phila. veterinarian

Dean R. Hodges, 83, of West Oak Lane, who rose from humble beginnings in Georgia to become a busy veterinarian with two offices in Philadelphia, died Saturday, March 6.

He died of peripheral vascular disease at the home of his son, Eric, in Gladwyne.

A native of Soperton, Ga., "Doc," as he was called, was the youngest of nine children of Jimmy and Beatrice Hodges.

His older brothers willingly gave up the chance for advanced education to support their large family after their father died, enabling Dr. Hodges to go to college.

"They were so proud of Doc, and he never forgot their tremendous sacrifice," Dr. Hodges' sons wrote in a tribute to their father.

After completing high school in Soperton, Dr. Hodges enrolled in what is now Fort Valley State University and threw himself into the college experience. He pledged Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, participated in track and field, and was drum major for the university marching band.

His academic achievements caught the attention of recruiters from Tuskegee Institute, now Tuskegee University. He accepted their invitation to enroll in the School of Veterinary Medicine in 1954.

Soon after Dr. Hodges arrived on the Tuskegee campus, a Delta Sigma Theta pledge named Barbara Harrison caught his eye. "It was not long before the handsome couple caught everyone's eye strolling arm in arm across the yard at Tuskegee," his sons wrote.

Dr. Hodges completed his veterinary medical degree at Tuskegee in 1958 and married Harrison that spring at her parents' home in Sylacauga, Ala. He then became a clinician at Tuskegee's vet school while he waited for his wife to graduate.

Tuskegee classmate Dr. Adam McKee wrote in a school bulletin last year, "Dean enjoys the record of having been an outstanding student and is one of the most sensitive, kindest people you could ever hope to meet."

An Army colonel contacted the dean of the vet school, asking if he could recommend someone to work on a research project involving anthrax. That someone was Dr. Hodges, who accepted the assignment.

After Harrison graduated, she and Dr. Hodges moved to Frederick, Md., where he began his research at Fort Detrick Army Medical Command, the center of the U.S. biological weapons program. His studies included work with research beagles and monkeys.

In the mid-1960s, the couple, who by then had two sons, followed Dr. Hodges' older brother Woodrow to Philadelphia. Two more sons were born several years later.

In 1970, the couple opened an animal hospital in West Oak Lane and devoted the next three decades to building the practice. Dr. Hodges purchased a second veterinary hospital in Northeast Philadelphia, and for much of his career maintained a grueling six-day-a-week work schedule.

An astute businessman, he could have lived anywhere, but for many years he chose to stay in the predominantly African American neighborhood, where his presence would be an inspiration and where he could contribute to the community.

When Dr. Hodges and his wife saw the need for a playground, they decided to build one so neighborhood youngsters could safely play basketball.

After Mrs. Hodges died in 2009, Dr. Hodges moved in with his son Eric.

Dr. Hodges' Christian faith informed his public service. He was a trustee and real estate adviser to Corinthian Baptist Church, where he was a longtime member.

A loyal Tuskegee alumnus, he was treasurer of the Philadelphia Chapter of the national alumni association, and traveled to Alabama to participate in the annual veterinary medicine symposium.

Because of Dr. Hodges' influence, many students chose Tuskegee and pledged Alpha Phi Alpha; teenagers had summer and after-school jobs that prepared them for the rigors of college; and African American children across the city believed that they, too, could become a veterinarian or own a business, his sons wrote.

"He was quiet. He didn't boast about it. He just did it," said son Keith.

Besides his sons, he is survived by Carlos and Ronald, and nine grandchildren.

A viewing from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday, March 12, will be followed by a 10 a.m. funeral service at Bethlehem Baptist Church, 712 Penllyn Pike, Spring House. Interment is in Whitemarsh Memorial Park.

Memorial donations may be made to Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine, 1200 W. Montgomery Rd., Tuskegee, Ala. 36088.

bcook@phillynews.com 610-313-8102