Mark T. Hodges

Mark Thomas Hodges, 28, of Sedalia, passed away on December 6, 2015, at the University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia, Mo. He was born on August 1, 1987 in Sedalia, Mo, and was adopted in that same city four years later by his surviving parents Tom and Anita (Roe) Hodges.

Mark was a lifelong Sedalia, Mo resident and a proud graduate of Smith-Cotton High School. The month he graduated (May 2006), Mark began work at his first and only job through the Center for Human Services at the Sheltered Workshop in Sedalia, Mo. This employment quickly progressed to an assignment as one of the contracted crew members at Hays Wheels, now Maxion Wheels. After approximately six months, Mark transitioned to the position of forklift driver. He loved his job and co-workers and took great pride in driving the forklift. Mark continued in this work for over nine years until this past month.

During his life Mark overcame significant challenges to achieve many noteworthy milestones and his family is thankful to all the doctors, special education teachers, Center for Human Services staff, church members, friends, family and mentors that helped him reach his full potential. Through their guidance, he was able to play on a State Champion Special Olympics Basketball Team, achieve the rank of First Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo, learn to play the guitar, and most importantly grow into a young Christian man of character who continually made his parents so very proud.

In addition to studying Taekwondo, Mark loved serving as an assistant in the classes, especially teaching new members and the youth. He was proud that some members of the class video-taped his performance of various Taekwondo forms to help study and learn at home. In addition to Taekwondo and guitar lessons, Mark also enjoyed his Parkview Christian Church Sunday School class, playing video games, fishing, playing with his cat, movies, watching professional wrestling and family trips to the ocean, where looking for shells and snorkeling were his passions.

As an only child, Mark was especially close to his cousins, Brandy Hodges of Ferguson, Mo; Amy Stell of Maplewood, Mo; Christina Vance of Mexico, Mo; Kimberly Nelson of Columbia, Mo; Chris Roe of Fulton, Mo; Chase Stiltner of Troy, Mo; and Tommy Harp of Harrison, Ar. Their love and support, along with his Aunts and Uncles, sustained and supported Mark continually.

Mark was adopted from one family into another and as he grew older he sought to reach out to his brother, sisters and remaining parent from his birth family. He was so excited and happy to make those contacts and greatly enjoyed time spent with this part of his extended family.

Mark was preceded in death by his grandparents Lawrence and Hazel Roe of Sedalia, Mo, and Tom Hodges, Sr. of Florissant, Mo. Though he never had the pleasure of meeting Grandpa Hodges, Mark was great friends and spent much time with Grandpa and Grandma Roe. They, along with his surviving grandmother Joan Stroer, helped mold his character and shape him into a loving and caring man.

A visitation will be held at Heckart Funeral Home, 903 South Ohio, Sedalia, Mo, on Friday, December 11, 2015, 6:00pm-8:00pm.  A memorial service will be held at Parkview Christian Church, 1405 East 16

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Street, Sedalia, Mo, on Saturday, December 12, 2015, at 1:00pm, officiated by Rev. Rodney Brown. Burial will follow at Crown Hill Cemetery in Sedalia, Mo.

Pallbearers will include Chris Roe, Stephen Ryan, Chase Stiltner, Mike Rathmann, Seth Tyler and Jon Heimsoth. Honorary pallbearers include Brandy Hodges, Amy Stell, Kimberly Nelson, Christina Vance and Tommy Harp.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to Parkview Christian Church, Special Olympics, or Show-Me Christian Youth Home of LaMonte, Mo. While Mark’s spirit is in the presence of God his body will continue to benefit others as he was an organ donor through the Midwest Transplant Network.

Condolences may be left on Heckart’s online guest book at www.heckartfuneralhome.com.