Court clerk served

16 years; will leave

March 31
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.

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 there 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 assistants 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 2010.