Campbell Hodge

Campbell “Cam” Hodge, 89, passed away Nov. 7, 2015. Born in Glasgow, Scotland, on Jan. 16, 1926, Cam’s family immigrated to the United States in 1929, when he was 3. They settled in Newburgh, New York, where Cam grew up, attended school, and was a competitive speed skater.

In January 1944, Campbell joined the U.S. Navy during the last of WWII, traveling much of the world, including Africa, Australia and more. He was in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on V-J Day.

Cam married Boots Mackey in 1947. They built a life together that included five children and an adventuring spirit that led them to Alaska in 1959. First landing in the Chugiak area, they moved to Anchorage in the early 1960s. In the early 1980s, Cam built their retirement home in Big Lake, where he and Boots enjoyed an active social life and where he lived independently until the end.

Cam was a journeyman carpenter, served as president of the Carpenters’ Union in Newburgh, worked as carpenter-foreman on multiple Anchorage projects, and also owned a custom homebuilding company. Cam enjoyed many outdoor activities and was always an athlete. He and Boots enjoyed league bowling, and Cam won multiple trophies for bowling, horseshoes and pool. In his later years he became an avid golfer. Also a master gardener, many people enjoyed the fruits of his green thumb.

With his gregarious personality, Cam struck up conversations with everyone whose path crossed his. The only people who were not his friends were those he had not yet met. He would talk on a number of subjects, but his favorite topic was his family; his children apologize to anyone that may have been bored by his litany of their activities and accomplishments.

Cam was preceded in death by his wife, Boots, in 1991; his brother, Andy; and sister, May. He is survived by his son, Glenn; and daughters, Gail (Earl) Lamson, Gay (Gordy) Howe, Glori (Ken) Smith, and Glenda (Steve) Lopez; 12 grandchildren: Jonathan, Tori, Tanya, Earl, Glori Ann, Amber, Luke, Kenny, Katie, Adrian, April, and Aaron; and 15 great-grandchildren: Aspyn, Jack, Nohl, Shelby, Eric, Addison, Eli, Earl, Keira, Campbell, Kenya, Julian, Milo, Hazel, Ariana, with two more coming soon.

A celebration of Cam’s life will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015, at the Susitna VFW Post 9365, 301 East Lake View Avenue, Wasilla. Arrangements by Cremation Society of Alaska