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Donald Lee Hodgkinson, 63, of Orange, Texas passed away at his residence Sunday afternoon, April 15, 2007.

Funeral services will be Thursday at 10:00 a.m., April 19, 2007 at Claybar Funeral Home, with interment following at Evergreen Cemetery on 10th Street in Orange. Officiating will be Pastor David Millner.

A gathering of family and friends will be at Claybar Funeral Home, Wednesday from 5-8 p.m.

Donald was born October 17, 1943 to Leroy Joseph and Palmire Marie Verrett Hodgkinson. A life long resident of Orange, he graduated from Lutcher Stark High School in 1963. Donny always had a smile, and was known for his love of all people, witty, caring, high Christian morals and family values. He had witty inventions and creative ideas and he welcomed people in his home always. He loved children and encouraged many teens over a game of pool, that he shot one handed. He loved to serve his family, his neighbors and the Dallas Cowboys. He believed in the good in people and had the boldness to stand up for what he believed. He raised his girls in Calvary Baptist Church, West Orange, where he played softball in the late 1970?s and started their bus ministry to pick up anyone who needed a ride to church. He owned and operated Music Plus, where he was known as the ?the Music Man? for over 20 years.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Cecil Joseph and Eulan Ray Hodgkinson; sister, Ruby Hodgkinson Corder; Nephews, Eulan Ray Jr., Ronald Lee, and Steven Ray Hodgkinson, all of Orange.

Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 42 years, Frances Hodgkinson; daughters, Dawn Hodgkinson Tramel and Donna Hodgkinson; grandson Patrick Tramel; brothers, L.J., Charles, and Jerry Hodgkinson; sisters, Shirley Alexander and Wanda Harris, all of Orange; as well as many grieving nieces, nephews, great nieces, cousins and customers.