Chief Ramon "Ray" Eugene Hodgson, Jr.
Date of Birth: October 15, 1950
Date of Death: October 30, 2015

Past Chief Ramon (Ray) E.  Hodgson, Jr., Past Chief of the Odenton Volunteer Fire Company (OVFC), left us much too early with his passing on October 30, 2015.  His legacy will remain in eternity with this posthumous recognition.

Ray was born in Pennsylvania on October 15, 1950 but was raised and spent his entire life in the Odenton area.  He joined the OVFC as soon as he could at the young age of 16 on January 10, 1967.  He was a very active member of the company, taking a strong interest in training, a role in which he remained active in up until his death.  Although he eventually accepted a career position with the Anne Arundel County Fire Department, Ray still held OVFC in a special place in his heart.  His career position prohibited him from remaining an operational volunteer, but he helped out in other administrative capacities.  When he retired from the career service, he accepted a position with the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute (MFRI) as Logistics Coordinator and immediately returned to an active role with OVFC and continued to be active up until the time of his death.  He served as Chief from 2012-2013.  In recognition of his many years of service to the OVFC, he was bestowed the title of Life Member.

Ray was a long time instructor with MFRI, serving several tours at the Anne Arundel County Fire Training Academy as a Recruit Training Officer.  He also taught many career and volunteer personnel in Firefighter 1 and II, Hazardous Materials, and his specialty Technical Rescue.  His rescue acumen lead to his participation in the regional FEMA Structural Collapse Team which culminated with his response to and operations on the debris pile at the World Trade Center following the 9-11 terrorism attacks.

Ray was also known for this community support activities.  As a member of OVFC, he annually scheduled Santa visits on one of Odenton’s fire engines, even playing the role of Santa himself.  He was a strong supporter of the OVFC Ladies Auxiliary and is the only male person to have ever held membership in the Auxiliary.  He also worked closely with the local community groups, including serving as a Director to the Greater Odenton Improvement Association.

Ray was instrumental in transforming OVFC’s annual fire prevention open house event into “Odenton Day” where OVFC and all of the local community groups gather on the first Saturday in October to celebrate the heritage and history of the Odenton community.  This event not only greatly increased the attendance at the company’s open house event but also provided the entire community with an opportunity to showcase their history and their accomplishments.

Although Ray left us prematurely, his legacy will live on in the memories that hold relationships with him and the things that he accomplished. 

Obituary

Chief Ramon "Ray" Eugene Hodgson, Jr.
Date of Birth: October 15, 1950
Date of Death: October 30, 2015

Ramon (Ray) Eugene Hodgson, Jr., age 65, passed away on October 30 at University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore Maryland.

Ray was born on 15 October 1950 in Pennsylvania to the late Phyllis and Ramon Hodgson, Sr. Ray was raised in Odenton and graduated from Arundel High School. At the age of 16, he joined Odenton Volunteer Fire Company where he was a life member and past Chief with over 30 years of service to the Odenton community. He served in the US Army. He was a career firefighter III and instructor for AACO Fire Dept. retiring October 1, 1994 after 22 years of service. During his career he trained and established the Trench Rescue Team for AACO. He was a member of the Pennsylvania Task Force One with deployment to the World Trade Center on 9/11 as a Rescue Specialist. Ray worked with MFRI as a Field Instructor and a Facilities Manager.

Ray is survived by his beloved wife of 42 years, Linda Miller Hodgson; his devoted children, Dawn Cross and Julie Schram, his grandchildren, Joshua and Aiden Cross and Maizie Schram, his brother Donnie Hodgson, and sisters Blanche Hamilton and Jackie Hodgson. His is also survived by many nieces and nephews.