Howard M. Hodges passed peacefully at his Pebble Beach home on Friday, Dec. 16 surrounded by his loving family and dedicated caregivers. Howard was born on April 9, 1926 in Beaver, Utah to Harold and Nettie Hodges. A year later his parents moved to the Monterey Peninsula where he lived the rest of his life.

 

When Howard was 14, he bought three bicycles from the money he earned working at his father's gas station in New Monterey--and the rest is history. He rented bicycles for 25 cents an hour to WWII G.I.s at Fort Ord and neighborhood kids who didn't have bikes of their own. He attended Pacific Grove schools and graduated in 1944 from Pacific Grove High School and Heald Business College in 1945 and served in the Army from 1945 to 1947.

 

Howard continued to build his rental business by adding equipment after purchasing the gas station from his father. Little did he know he would meet his future bride, Lorraine Haley, when she and a mutual friend stopped there for gas in 1955. Howard and Lorraine were married in Carmel the following year. Daughter Julie and son Hal arrived in the next two years. Son Steven brought up the rear nine years later. 

 

By 1957, the rental business had outgrown the gas station and Howard purchased property on Foam St., where the equipment rental business continues to this day. In 1986, he moved the party equipment to its current location on Lighthouse Ave., a stone's throw from where it all began. 

 

Howard was respected by his many long-time employees, some of whom he gave their first job, and even celebrated three marriages between his employees who met while working together at the rental business. Howard enjoyed the fact that some of his customers had been with him for many years and had celebrated milestones in their lives with items they had rented. One of his greatest joys was that his sons will continue his legacy.

 

Howard didn't have many hobbies because the rental business was his biggest hobby and passion, and he continued working up until last year. He loved serving his customers and his customers loved him. When he wasn't helping a customer, he enjoyed traveling, photography, attending PGHS Breaker football games and playing poker with family and friends. He was active in the PGHS Alumni Association until his death. Until very recently, he could be found having lunch at Fandango Restaurant with his family, where he was affectionately referred to as their unofficial ambassador.

 

Howard was preceded in death two months to the day by his wife of 60 years, Lorraine Hodges. He is survived by his daughter, Julie (Scott) Dufault; sons, Hal (Theresa) Hodges and Steven Hodges; two grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. 

 

Donations in his name will be appreciated at Animal Friends Rescue Project (AFRP) P.O. Box 51083, Pacific Grove, California 93950.