Jay Hodge Obituary, Death – On November 16, 2022, the world lost a musical soul with the passing of Julian “Jay” W. Hodge, Jr., age 60, in Myrtle Beach, SC, due to cardiac arrest. Born on November 5, 1962, in Anderson, SC, Jay was the firstborn son of Julian “Buddy” Hodge and Janet Melton Hodge, marking the beginning of a life filled with a passion for music.
Jay’s musical journey took root at Southview Academy in Wadesboro, NC, where he began his exploration of the art he would cherish throughout his life. In 1989, he crossed paths with Angela Turner Hodge in Garden City, SC, and their union brought forth a son, Taylor Hodge, born in December 1990.
Though Jay formally retired from his live music career in 2017, his love for the art endured as he continued contributing to the culinary scene at Dead Dog Saloon. His retirement did not mark the end of his influence, and even after his passing, his love for music and the lives he touched continued to resonate.
Jay is survived by his godmother, Bonnie Huntley, and her husband Tookie Huntley of Morven, NC. His brother, Samuel Melton Hodge, and his family of Murrells Inlet, SC, as well as his wife, Angela Turner Hodge, and son, Taylor Hodge, of Socastee, SC, mourn his departure.
Predeceased by loved ones such as S.H. Melton, Ruthalee Melton Hook, Julian “Buddy” Hodge, and Janet Melton Hodge, Jay’s enduring spirit lives on in the hearts of his family, friends, and the numerous musical colleagues he left an indelible mark on.
A “Celebration of Life” for Jay is planned for January 2023 at Dead Dog Saloon, a place that held significance in his life. Updates on the event will be shared through Jay’s Facebook page in the coming weeks. In the words of Psalms 57:7, Jay’s steadfast heart and love for music will be remembered and celebrated, leaving an everlasting impact on those who had the privilege of knowing him.
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