Eric Brandon Hodges, 41, of Cantonment, FL passed away on Monday, January 18, 2021.

He was born in Conway, AR on March 26, 1979, and raised by his grandmother in Dardanelle, AR. In 1999 Eric left Arkansas and joined the US Navy Submarine service, where he earned his dolphins as well as several other awards. He made lifelong friendships during that service that will never be forgotten.
After coming back to Pensacola to be near his wife's family, he worked as an industrial mechanic, and in construction before finally deciding to follow his goal of becoming a nurse. In 2018, he graduated as a Registered Nurse and went to work at Sacred Heart Hospital. Eric always had a huge heart and it showed in the way he cared for his patients there. He had nothing but wonderful memories of his co-workers, and his time working with the staff on 5 West.

Those who knew Eric, knew that he had a larger-than-life personality. Upon a first meeting, you might wonder if you should love him or hate him, but once you got to know him, he was very hard not to love. He loved to laugh and to see others smile, and often talked about how laughter is the best medicine for patients in the hospital.

He loved to cook for his family and for other's and considered it a point of pride to make every meal delicious. He enjoyed spending time with friends and neighbors, camping, and fishing, and basically doing anything that brought people together around him. He was the fixer of all things broken and the builder of anything his wife or kids could dream up. There was just nothing he could not do if he decided he wanted to do it.

Finally, but most importantly, he was the most wonderful husband and father anyone could ever ask for. He always put his family ahead of himself. He was always striving to become the best version of himself that he could be. He was incredibly physically strong, but really had the softest of hearts. Our world is smaller without him, but our lives are so much larger and more fulfilled because he was a part of them. He will be missed beyond measure and loved always.

He is preceded in death by his much-loved grandmother, Mildred Virgie Campbell; his father, Ronald Doyle Hodges; as well as grandfather, Doyle Hodges.

He is survived by his loving wife of 20 years, Melinda Hodges; daughter, Dylan Hodges; son, Wyatt Hodges; his sister, Molly Frew and her husband, Chester Frew.

A Memorial Service to celebrate Eric's life will be held 10:00am Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel.