Jerry Hodge, former Amarillo Mayor, 2018 Amarillo Globe-News Man of the Year, philanthropist and businessman, died Wednesday night. He was 81.
Hodge, who founded Maxor National Pharmacy Services in 1966, started as a pharmacist graduating from the Southwestern Oklahoma State University School of Pharmacy in 1965. He later served at Maxor as chairman and chief executive officer. Hodge had served on multiple boards across the state, city and nation. He served on Amarillo’s city council from 1973 to 1977. From 1977 to 1981, he became the youngest mayor in Amarillo history at age 37, serving two terms. In 2005, he ran for mayor again and lost to Debra McCart.
“We have just learned of the passing of one of Amarillo’s dearest leaders,” current Amarillo Mayor Cole Stanley said. “Jerry Hodge has left a legacy of servant leadership in Amarillo and will always be remembered as a true professional. Our prayers are with his family and closest friends.”
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Hodge’s legacy and impact is seen across Amarillo, and it has played a significant role, from establishing the Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine to landing a minor league baseball team for Amarillo in 2017. The Jerry Hodge School of Pharmacy at Texas Tech, the Amarillo Sod Poodle’s stadium Hodgetown and the Jerry H. Hodge Unit at the Texas State Prison in Rusk are all named after him.
The Texas Tech University System and TTUHSC media issued a statement Thursday afternoon: “In 2019, the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) named its School of Pharmacy after Jerry Hodge in recognition of his support and dedication to the Panhandle region. Throughout his life, Hodge worked to advance the field of pharmacy, and the TTUHSC Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy will continue his legacy. Over the years, Jerry and Margaret Hodge have shown consistent philanthropic support for TTUHSC, Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine, the Laura W. Bush Institute for Women’s Health and the Texas Tech University System.”
“Jerry was an incredible leader, businessman and philanthropist who made a tremendous impact in the pharmaceutical field, his community and our entire Texas Tech University System,” said Tedd L. Mitchell, M.D., TTUS Chancellor, in a statement. “He was fearless. A true trailblazer, he took risks and never hesitated to stand tall for the causes he believed in. And by doing so, he made us better. Establishing the Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine in Amarillo would not have been possible without the passionate support of Jerry and his wife, Margaret. And the entire Texas Tech University System would not be where it is today without the Hodges. Their generosity has known no bounds, and we are forever grateful for all Jerry has done for our universities, the TTU System and our communities.”
“Jerry’s passing has left a void in our TTUHSC family. Mr. Hodge was a trailblazer for ensuring that our region had and continues to have access to quality pharmacy education and delivery of care,” said Lori Rice-Spearman, Ph.D., President, TTUHSC, in a statement. “He was instrumental in helping TTUHSC establish our pharmacy school in Amarillo and was dedicated to fostering its development and growth. He and Margaret’s dedication to the success of the community and their generous and giving spirits have deeply benefited this region. Mr. Hodge’s legacy will continue to inspire our commitment to the future of health in Amarillo and beyond. We will forever cherish his friendship and send our heartfelt thoughts to Margaret, their family and friends.”
In addition to his Amarillo contributions, he and his wife donated $5 million to his alma mater, Southwestern Oklahoma State, for a state-of-the-art facility and endowment in 2021, as previously reported. He was inducted into the SWOSU Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame in 1979 and was honored by the SWOSU College of Pharmacy as Outstanding Alumnus in 2008. In 2005, the Jerry and Margaret Hodge Endowed Scholarship was established at SWOSU. Hodge was born in Carnegie, Oklahoma and attended a two-room country school outside of Mountain View through the eighth grade before moving to Amarillo, where he graduated in 1960 from Tascosa High School.
Hodge served on the Texas State Board of Pharmacy from 1981 to 1987, including as president (1984-85) and was a past president of the Texas Panhandle Pharmaceutical Association and charter member of the American Society of Consulting Pharmacists.
Current city councilman and former Amarillo Globe-News publisher Les Simpson, who worked with Hodge and Ben Masters on Hodge’s autobiographical book “You’re On Cowboy!: Lessons Learned from Taking Risks, Taking Names and Knowing When to Fold,” commented on Hodge’s passing.
“There isn’t anyone who loved Amarillo more than Jerry Hodge. He created a legacy of service and philanthropy that will benefit our city for years to come,” he said. “I worked with Jerry on ‘You’re On Cowboy,’ a book about his life that was published in 2021. There are so many great stories of such an incredible life in the book. I once joked that Jerry was the only person in the world to take on both Boone Pickens and Oprah Winfrey and live to tell the tale!”
“What stood out to me was his love and devotion to his wife, Margaret, who he called the best thing that ever happened to him. And she was. They were an incredible team together,” he said.
The City of Amarillo said it joins the entire Amarillo community today in mourning the loss of the former city councilmember and mayor, as well as historic leader, businessman and philanthropist.
The City of Amarillo issued this statement: “There have been many people who left their imprint on Amarillo – none bigger than Jerry Hodge. From becoming the youngest mayor in city history to leading the way to historic progress throughout the city, Hodge’s list of accomplishments is second to none. His leadership and influence ranges from the Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center to “Hodgetown” – the downtown multipurpose event venue that brought professional baseball back to Amarillo. Hodge’s commitment and dedication to Amarillo created a legacy that is unmatched. Hodge’s duty, service and love of Amarillo extended far beyond his extensive business success. Amarillo truly is a better place because of Jerry Hodge.”
During the Globe-News Man of the Year ceremony, Hodge said, “My love for Amarillo started in 1957 on Polk Street, and it’s grown everyday.”
Funeral services have not been finalized but will take place next week.
This is a developing story; check back for updates as they come in throughout the day, along with more photos and links to previous stories.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Jerry Hodge dies at 81, was leader, businessman and philanthropist
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