Ronald Hodge

Ronald A. Hodge, 66, Bismarck, peacefully passed onto his next adventure on November 22, 2008, after a courageous 3 ½ year battle with multiple myleoma. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 11:00 AM at Church of the Ascension in Bismarck with Rev. Marvin Klemmer officiating. Burial will be at the North Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 4:00 – 8:00 PM at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, where a vigil service will be held at 6:00 PM. Visitation will continue Wednesday one hour prior to the service at the church. Ron was born in New London, Connecticut, on January 17, 1942, the son of Mary and Gerville Hodge. After high school graduation, he joined the U.S. Navy and was selected for submarine service. While serving on the U.S.S. Nautilus, Ron embarked on the first expedition under the polar ice cap. After military service, he received a B.A. from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a Juris Doctorate in Law from the University of California, Davis. Ron was always an activist for Native American causes all his life and assisted in establishing the first Native American University DQU in Davis, California, and helped draft Public Law 280 in California. He also served many years in California Legal Services prior to moving to Bismarck and established his own law practice. He also served as Assistant Attorney General under Governor Al Olson. Ron started a wholesale pharmaceutical company which assisted him in his many philanthropic causes. Ron was a loving and devoted father and was blessed with two wonderful children, Tiffany Hodge and Tyson Hodge of Bismarck, and two beautiful twin grandchildren, Elora and Selia Hockholter of Bismarck. Ron was a kind and generous friend throughout his life and gladly gave his time and resources to anyone in need. The main focus of his life, and from which he derived the most pleasure, was his family, work, and using his abilities to help make a better life for everyone. He is survived by his son, Tyson of Bismarck; his daughter, Tiffany of Bismarck; two grandchildren, Elora and Selia of Bismarck; one brother, Gary Hodge of New London, Connecticut; three sisters and brothers-in-law, Scyrina and Ed Moore of Gig Harbor, Washington, Elaine and Jerry Foley of Deerfield, Michigan, and Leona and Len Volk of Norfold, Virginia; one brother-in-law, Sid Trundle of Santa Barbara, California; four adopted brothers, Tom Weeks, Pete Red Tomhawk, Wilbur Red Tomhawk, and John Binder; and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary and Gerville Hodge and his sister, Diana Trundle.

Ronald Hodge

December 17, 1942 - November 22, 2008