Vern George Hodsdon, Sr 98 of Gainesville FL, passed away March 29,2020 at ET York Haven Hospice in Gainesville. Vern was born In Everett Washington March 29, 1922 to Vern and Bess Hodsdon. The family moved to Fairfield Maine where he grew up. On his 18^th birthday he hitched a ride to Portland, Maine and enlisted in the United States Army. He joined M company 35^th infantry at Schofield Barracks for the next four years. On the Morning of December 7th, 1941 he was awakened by the explosions from adjoining wheeler fields near Pearl Harbor. The next two years were fighting in the jungles of Guadalcanal and other Pacific islands. In July of 1944 he was back in the United States. At camp Blanding where he met Carrie Greene. The end of the war was near and with his Honorable discharge, they were married and started their life and family in Gainesville.  Vern Worked and retired from Merita Bread Company. He enjoyed fishing , camping and the mountains of North Carolina. He was an active member of North Gainesville Baptist Church. Vern was preceded in death by his father Vern Hodsdon and his mother Bess Goodman and his Former wife Carrie Green Hardin, Sister Sylvia Hood, Katherine McCaslin and son in law Kenneth Ellis.  Survived by his wife of 33 years Betty Kennedy Hodsdon, son Vern G Hodsdon Jr and wife Debbie, Sylvia Ellis  and husband Charles Haworth, six grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and  a nephew.

He was a loving Husband, Father and friend and he will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to Haven Hospice or North Gainesville Baptist Church.

Visitation Thursday 10-11 @ Forest Meadows Central Cemetery Chapel in the Meadows.4100 NW 39th Ave Gainesville ,Fl 32606 Then a private family service and Burial.