Ralph Hodge Obituary
Ralph "Butch" Burton Hodge, born May 16, 1941, in Wenatchee, Washington, to Melissa Ousterhout and Harley Russell Hodge, passed away on June 30, 2026, at St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma.
Ralph grew up on a farm near Colfax, Washington, graduating from Colfax High School in 1959. A talented athlete and musician, he earned varsity letters, served as honor band captain, played trombone, and excelled in boxing, winning district and A.A.U. titles. He attended Washington State University on a boxing scholarship, where he also won Golden Gloves matches before the boxing program ended.
He worked for Chevron in Kennewick and later logged in British Columbia. From his first marriage, he had two children, Jay Lee and Jeanette. After the marriage ended, Ralph joined his older brother, Jerry, in Vietnam, where he worked for Alaska Barge and Transport from 1967 to 1973, eventually becoming General Foreman in Vung Tau. He witnessed the 1968 Tet Offensive and, despite the challenges of war times, Ralph developed a lifelong love for Vietnam and its people.
In 1972, Ralph married Minh-Anh Nguyen, whom he called the "real joy of my life." She served as an interpreter and translator for the U.S. Air Force Advisory Team in Nha Trang. They returned to Washington in 1973 with their son, Robert, and later welcomed Gloria and Nathan.
Ralph spent 27 years with Tidewater Barge Lines and became a dedicated labor advocate, serving as Legislative Director for his local Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers union. When Minh-Anh joined the Tacoma School District in 1991, the couple maintained homes in both Tacoma and the Tri-Cities so their children could finish school. Ralph retired early and joined her in Tacoma in 2000.
A devoted Christian, Ralph served as both Elder and Deacon at Pasco Presbyterian Church and faithfully attended First Presbyterian Church in Tacoma for more than 25 years. He loved his family; enjoyed traveling, fishing, golfing, growing fuchsias and tomatoes, and spending time at the Morgan Family YMCA. He was also a longtime member of the Highlands Men's Golf Club and a lifetime member of the Tacoma Athletic Commission.
Ralph is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Minh-Anh Hodge (née Nguyen Thi Minh-Anh); his children, Jeanette Wallace (Shawn), Robert Hodge
He worked for Chevron in Kennewick and later logged in British Columbia. From his first marriage, he had two children, Jay Lee and Jeanette. After the marriage ended, Ralph joined his older brother, Jerry, in Vietnam, where he worked for Alaska Barge and Transport from 1967 to 1973, eventually becoming General Foreman in Vung Tau. He witnessed the 1968 Tet Offensive and, despite the challenges of war times, Ralph developed a lifelong love for Vietnam and its people.
In 1972, Ralph married Minh-Anh Nguyen, whom he called the "real joy of my life." She served as an interpreter and translator for the U.S. Air Force Advisory Team in Nha Trang. They returned to Washington in 1973 with their son, Robert, and later welcomed Gloria and Nathan.
Ralph spent 27 years with Tidewater Barge Lines and became a dedicated labor advocate, serving as Legislative Director for his local Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers union. When Minh-Anh joined the Tacoma School District in 1991, the couple maintained homes in both Tacoma and the Tri-Cities so their children could finish school. Ralph retired early and joined her in Tacoma in 2000.
A devoted Christian, Ralph served as both Elder and Deacon at Pasco Presbyterian Church and faithfully attended First Presbyterian Church in Tacoma for more than 25 years. He loved his family; enjoyed traveling, fishing, golfing, growing fuchsias and tomatoes, and spending time at the Morgan Family YMCA. He was also a longtime member of the Highlands Men's Golf Club and a lifetime member of the Tacoma Athletic Commission.
Ralph is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Minh-Anh Hodge (née Nguyen Thi Minh-Anh); his children, Jeanette Wallace (Shawn), Robert Hodge
(Jackie), Gloria Hodge, and Nathan Hodge (Kina); his nephew-in-law, Thien La (Linh) and their children; grandchildren Monica Decker (Chris), Zachary Hodge, Marquise Green, Izzabella Antonio (Nicholas), Elijah Hodge, Leilah Hodge-Spalding, and Sydney Hodge; great-grandchildren Elliott Decker and McKenna Decker; brothers- and sisters-in-law and their children in Vietnam; and many cherished friends.