Tommy Hill Hodges

Tommy Hill Hodges was born on February 23, 1941, in Columbia, Louisiana to Andrew (Gore) and Ethel (Watson) Hodges. Tommy graduated from Kelly High School in Kelly, Louisiana, and soon after graduation, Tommy moved to Port Arthur, Texas to begin working in and around the oilfield and for the City of Port Arthur before joining the United States Navy on September 9, 1963. Tommy became a welder in the US Navy and obtained a rank of SFP3 by the time he completed his service on May 19, 1967. After his service in the US Navy was completed, Tommy went to work for Texaco/American Cyanimide Petro Chemical Plant until June 1973 when he left to pursue his music career. 

On November 18,1967, Tommy was united in marriage to Phyllis Haley at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Beaumont, Texas. He and his wife Phyllis began playing music locally during his time at the Petro Chemical plant and finally it was time to make the jump to fulltime music and entertainment. They began performing at local shows more often and after some recognition they started contracting more jobs until they were able to get bookings covering most of the United States and parts of Canada and Mexico. 

Tommy was a lifelong musician and singer who wanted a career in the entertainment industry. He had received his first guitar at age 4 and would play and sing along with the music on old country and western radio shows while traveling with his parents across the country from job to job for his father’s work. These early days cemented a fond love of not only music but a deep love for travel and wanderlust. Tommy took advantage of any opportunity to perform and entertain as he grew up and initially set a goal to move to California in pursuit of an acting career but later focused more on his love of music. He traveled extensively singing and performing with his band, The Gypsy Caravan, before eventually settling in Austin, Texas to start a family and focus on more regional shows. Later Tommy and Phyllis moved to the Houston area with their children, and he started working in construction and the oilfield as a QC/QA Inspector for different inspection groups working on Sub-Sea projects for various oil companies between 1998 and 2007. During his time in Houston, he continued to perform in many shows around Texas and was a regular comedy skit actor and singer at The Texas Opry Jamboree, in Magnolia, Texas. Tommy retired to Bastrop, Texas in 2001 while still working part time and formed H.I.S., a Gospel music group. He and his wife Phyllis along with others played at churches and private functions during this time. 

Tommy performed comedy and drama on stage as well as in films and commercials. He was a member of the Country Music Association and a BMI song writer, and had a Country Single Pick in the #4 spot with his Single “In the Arms of A Beautiful Woman” in 1981 with is Debut release. He won numerous awards as “Entertainer of the Year” and “Male Vocalist of the Year” at the Texas Opry Jamboree, in Magnolia, Texas. 

Always the entertainer, Tommy loved to make people laugh and genuinely had a love for connecting with people through his musical ability and his great personality. He spent his life dedicated to trying to improve the lives of others through music, entertainment, humor and a kind loving heart. 

Tommy passed away the evening of Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 7:26pm, surrounded by his family, at his home in Bastrop, Texas. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew (Gore) and Ethel Hodges. 

Tommy is survived by his singing partner and wife, Phyllis Hodges of Bastrop, Texas; two children, Rustin Hodges & his wife, Lisa of Paige, Texas and Crystal Iselt & her husband, Tracy of Fedor, Texas; nine grandchildren; sixteen great grandchildren, and several nieces, nephews and many friends. 

On June 28, 2025, at 10:00 AM, our family warmly invites all of Tommy’s family and friends to join us for a graveside Inurnment of Ashes Ceremony at Old Bethel Cemetery, located west of Clarks, Louisiana on Hwy 547. 

Tommy lived life to the fullest. He loved returning to his old stomping grounds to visit and reminisce. In later years, when he began to have trouble with his eyesight, he especially enjoyed calling to chat and catch up. He deeply valued his friendships. As he always said, “I’m Checking In, Checking up, and Checking On”. Come and share some of your memories of Tommy and meet his extended family. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.