Leslie A Hodgson

Les Allan Hodgson, 68, of Brownsville, passed away on Monday, August 8, 2016.
Les was born in 1948 to Lionel T. and Lily A. Hodgson in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He moved with his family at the age of six (1954) to Brownsville. He attended Los Ebanos (now Sharp) Elementary, Cummings Jr. High, and graduated from Brownsville High School in 1966.
He was a proud member for many years of historic Troop #3 Boy Scouts of America, where he achieved the rank of Eagle. He spent several summers on the staff at Camp Perry; and he participated in the 50th Boy Scout Jamboree in Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1960. He always maintained an active role with the Boy Scouts in Brownsville until his passing.
Les graduated from Southern Methodist University in 1970 with a BA degree in Latin American Affairs. While at SMU, he was a member all four years of the Southwest Conference championship swim team, a team that was always in the top ten in the nation, led by Swimming Hall of Fame coaches A.R. "Red" Barr and George McMillion.
Following graduation from college, Les served his country by volunteering for the U.S. Army. Upon completion of that service he went to work in the shrimp industry for Booth Fisheries in Nicaragua. In 1977, Les and his brother Larry founded Marco Sales, Inc. where he worked up until the time of his death. The company prides itself as a processor and marketer of premium wild caught Texas Gulf shrimp.
While deeply involved in the shrimp industry where his father had been an industry leader, Les served as President and Chairman of the Board of the National Fisheries Institute. He also for many years has proudly served on the Board of Directors of the Texas Shrimp Association.
Les led the shrimp industry involvement in the Bi-national recovery effort on behalf of the endangered Kemps Ridley Sea Turtle. In 1999, he was recognized as "Volunteer of the Year" by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for his efforts (a first for an industry executive). In 2000, he was awarded the Gulf Guardian Award by the Gulf of Mexico Foundation for his contribution to the protection of the Gulf of Mexico. For many years, he served as the industry representative on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife/National Marine Fisheries Service Kemps Ridley Sea Turtle Recovery Team. He played an integral role in coordinating the efforts for the Bahia Grande Restoration Project. Les sat on the Board of Sea Turtle Inc. and in 2014, received the "Legend of the Gulf" Harte Hero Award. He was a US Representative on the Consultative Committee of the Inter-American Conference on the sea turtle restoration.
Les had a passion for adventure and exploring new territories, especially around Mexico. It brought him great happiness to expose friends and family to these exotic locations, always taking the path less traveled.
Les was preceded in death by his parents, Lionel and Lily Hodgson. He is survived by his wife, Nikkie Saldivar Hodgson; daughter, Genevieve (John) Potts, son, Mark (Erin) Hodgson, daughter, Giselle Ricoy, son, Miguel Ricoy; and his five grandchildren: Matthew and Alyson Potts, Ella, Cameron, and Luke "Al" Hodgson. Les is also survived by his brother, Larry (Nancy) Hodgson and sister, Laurie (Darrell Mangham) Howell and numerous nephews and nieces.
Les' family will greet friends from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 13, 2016. A memorial service celebrating Les' life will begin at 3:00 p.m. with the rendering of military honors by the VFW Funeral Honor Guard under the direction of Cmdr. Luis Lucio, in the East Chapel at Darling-Mouser Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Les' name to: The Bi-National Kemps Ridley Recovery Project c/o Gladys Porter Zoo, 500 Ringgold St., Brownsville, TX. 78520.

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