J.H. "Buster" Hodges

Jess Horace “Buster” Hodges, 86, passed away Sunday, September 6, 2020.

The funeral service will be held 11 am Tuesday, September 8 at First Southern Baptist Church in Fritch with Pastor Dan Brunson officiating. His final resting place will be in Westlawn Memorial Park under the direction of Minton Chatwell Funeral Directors of Fritch. In lieu of flowers his memory may be honored with a gift to the Alzheimer's Association 5410 South Bell Ste. 411, Amarillo, TX 79109.

Buster was born March 26, 1934 in Plainview, Texas to Jess and Rozelle Hodges.  He was the last living charter member of First Southern Baptist Church in Fritch.

He grew up in Fritch, Texas and went to Phillips High school. He told lots of stories about being a ranch hand as a young man. Buster graduated from Eastern New Mexico University 1953-1957. While attending ENMU, he was awarded the Hardest Running Back Award, which was no surprise to anyone who knew him. In 1996, he was inducted into ENMU’s Hall of Honor.

Buster began coaching football at Hereford, Texas and later became Sanford Fritch High School’s first football coach, and even though he left coaching, was still “coach” to his players. In 1964, he co-founded Fritch State Bank. He was President when he retired from the bank just before turning 70.

He loved to hunt and fish, and was truly a country boy at heart. When he attended SMU’s Graduate School of Banking, his Vice Presidential slogan was “Country Bankers Do It All”.

Buster & Karen enjoyed going dancing and playing tennis with their friends. He got a lot of joy from watching his two granddaughters compete in all of their sports. But the thing he loved the most was holding Karen’s hand.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his wife Karen.

Survivors include his daughters, Kiili Goodwin and husband David of Amarillo, Kyrrha Wacker and husband Steve of Phoenix; and two granddaughters, Jaslyn and Jaryn of Dallas.