Ernest Foy Hodo

Ernest Foy Hodo was born Sept. 14, 1938, to Ola Bell and Eddie Hodo in Monahan, Texas, a small town near El Paso. Ernie was the youngest of six children whose father was an oil field worker in the Texas panhandle. Eddie died shortly after Ernie's birth in an industrial accident.

Soon thereafter Ernie, his brothers and sisters, and mother moved to Sentinel Oklahoma to be near family where they could rely upon one another in times of need. The family worked odd jobs mostly in field labor in the farming industry. Ernie and his family moved to Moses Lake in 1954 where he finished High School at what is now Frontier Middle School.

In approximately 1960 Ernie went to work at the old Third Avenue Market and was employed there for nearly 18 years. He then worked for a short time at Boyle's Market in both Moses Lake and Yakima before settling at the Moses Lake Safeway where he was employed until retirement.

Ernie was a fun-loving man who especially enjoyed being with friends and family. He spent many hours fishing at the south end of the lake or at one of the many potholes. To Ernie, a day fishing was the best day imaginable. Later in life Ernie would often travel to Las Vegas or Reno to take in a show or just spend time with a slot machine. There were no strangers to Ernie, only people he hadn't yet met. He always greeted others with a handshake and a smile saying, "You can catch more bees with honey than a sour face."

Another of Ernie's pastimes was following the Seattle Mariners baseball team. He especially enjoyed watching the games on television then calling his nephews to discuss the finer points of the sport. His family took several trips to Safeco Field to watch his Seattle Mariners. He was scheduled to fly to Arizona in March to attend Spring Training games in Peoria, but ill health forced him to cancel his planned vacation.

Final days were surrounded by his family and friends, some traveling very far to wish him their best. Unfortunately, the cancer that claimed his life was unrelenting and the only survivor is Ernie's memory which will live on forever in our hearts. We will miss him terribly.

Ernie is survived by numerous nieces and nephews, and a brother Lee of Index, Wash. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, his brothers Rayford and Billy Gene, sisters Della Hodo and Nancy Bichler.

A celebration of his life will be held at Chico's Pizza Parlor in Moses Lake Wednesday, July 2 at 6:30 p.m. Please RSVP his nephew, Rich Bichler at 360-277-0369.

Arrangements are in care of Benson Family Funeral Service, Moses Lake.