By Melanie Davis
After 16 years of service to Watauga County, Glenn
Hodges will retire as clerk of court and judge of probate.
His court career began in 1992, upon the death of clerk
John Bingham. There were two years remaining in Bingham’s
term.
Photo by Melanie Davis |
As an active member of the Democratic Party, Hodges was
asked to run in the two-year election. He was elected and
ran again at the expiration of the two years. The 1994 election
was the last time Hodges had an opponent in the race.
Multiple re-elections have made Hodges the longest term-elected
official in Watauga, however that run is coming to end on
March 31.
“During my last election I made it clear I intended
to serve the entire four-year term, but personal circumstances
have altered that goal,” Hodges said.
Hodges is a Watauga County native, born in the Oak Grove
community. Following high school graduation, he enlisted
in the U.S. Army and served in Korea.
When he returned home, Hodges became an employee of IRC
Inc., an electronics-component manufacturing firm in Boone.
Later, Hodges attended Appalachian State University and
returned to IRC after earning a degree in industrial arts.
Hodges remained with the company for 34 years. He was employed
as the manufacturing plant manager at the time of his election
as clerk of court.
He said that his involvement with the Democratic Party has
lessened since his election as clerk of court. “I feel
strongly that shouldn’t be politics in the clerk’s
office,” he said. “We are here to serve all the
citizens.”
A widower, Hodges was married for 48 years to Betty Ann
Hagaman Hodges. The couple had three children. Gerald is
now a pastor at Westwood Baptist Church in Roxboro. His
daughters have remained in the High Country. Anna Lynn Turner
is an employee of social services. Carol Lea Liles serves
as the manager of BB&T bank in Avery County.
Hodges refers to the employees in the clerk’s office
as his adopted family.
“I leave to the people of Watauga County a well-trained
and experienced staff,” Hodges said. “The kindness
and compliments directed to me and this office over the
years is a direct reflection on the effort and attitude
of my assistance and deputy clerks.”
Hodges says he leaves many friends at retirement, co-workers,
lawyers, magistrates, judges, administrators and law enforcement
officers.
“The support and cooperation I have received from all
of these have made my job more productive, and more effective
for the entire county,” he said. “I take with
me into retirement a sense of accomplishment as the clerk
of court. We have seen many changes and witnessed a steady
growth in all areas of court-related activities over the
years.”
His successor has not yet been named for the position. Senior
resident Superior Court Judge James L. Baker is responsible
for the appointment of a person to serve the remainder of
Hodges term. The position will be up for re-election in
November of 2010.
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