LEVANT – Charles R. “Ron” Hodgdon, 75, died April 24, 2014 at home in the arms of his loving wife of 23 years surrounded by his family. He was born November 20, 1938, in Brewer, the eldest son of George and Vera (Rosemieir) Hodgdon.
Ron grew up in Hampden and graduated from Hampden Academy in 1958. He was athletic and lettered in Football, baseball and track.
After graduation he did a stint in the Army. After his stint, Ron began his career as a dairy farmer in Charleston milking just 14 Holstein cows before ‘buying the farm’ and moving to Levant where he raised his family and farmed for the next 47 years. He loved what he did. What began as a small family farm grew to milking over 100 head. He was proud to sell his milk to Oakhust, which he and his family (and most of Maine) will tell you means top quality milk. At the time of Ron’s retirement he was the last remaining independent farmer in Levant of which had at one time been an impressive thirty-five.
As fair season arrived in Maine so did the hustle to get the hay in and finish chores early so that the family could go to the fair. Country fairs brought the fun and excitement of Tractor Pulling. The friendly completion of farmers, as they put their working tractors in front of great loads of weight, with Ron taking off down the track with the front wheels of his John Deere Tractor in the air often taking first place. Ron was a John Deere farmer, nothing but the “best” and was proud of his collection of 11, owning the entire 20 series. Once retired Ron enjoyed traveling with his wife and friends. Ron was an avid sportsman. He enjoyed his fishing days with friends in the shadows of Mt. Katahdin and hunting the elusive Maine deer in his own back yard.
In addition to his parents, Ron was predeceased by great-granddaughter, Ella Hood. Surviving in addition to his wife, Gloria (Cote) Hodgdon are his five children and four stepchildren, Penny Goodie and her husband Joe of Glenburn, David Hodgdon and his wife Beth of Corinth, Ronda Sangillo and her husband Mike of Grey, Arthur Hodgdon of Levant, Marion Arnold and her husband Glen of Kenduskeag, John Sulinski and his wife Francine of Old Town, James Cote of Old Town, Joe Cote and his wife Damaris of Sanford and Jeff Cote of Bangor; thirteen grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; two brothers, Warren Hodgdon and his wife Linda of San Diego, CA and Alan Hodgdon of Bar Harbor; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
Ron asked that his friends and family ‘Celebrate’ his life by gathering at the home of his daughter and son-in-law, Penny and Joe Goodie, 51 Pine Grove Ave., Glenburn on Wednesday, April 30th at 5:00 PM. He asked that you honor him in the way which he lived, “please wear your most comfortable jeans, no suits allowed.” A Graveside Service will be held later in the spring. A service of Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.
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