Doug Hodo, Houston Baptist University president emeritus, dies at 81

Edward Douglas “Doug” Hodo, the second president of Houston Baptist University, died Oct.10 at his home in Boerne. He was 81.

During his time as HBU president from 1987 to 2006, HBU developed new academic programs and campus facilities expanded to include the Hinton Center, the Baugh Center, the Husky Village Apartments and the Glasscock Center. In 2006, construction began on the first phase of the Morris Cultural Arts Center, which was dedicated in 2007.

Hodo placed HBU on a firm financial foundation, helped grow the school’s endowment and maintained the university’s Christian commitment. During his tenure at HBU, alumni numbers increased dramatically, and HBU added the renowned Bible in America collection—one of the most significant Bible collections gathered in the last 50 years—to its museum.

In September 2006, the board of trustees honored Hodo and his wife, Sadie, for their 19 years of service to HBU by naming them president emeritus and first lady emeritus. In 2013, HBU honored the couple with the naming of the Sadie and Doug Hodo Residence College.

Hodo was born in Amory, Miss. He served in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956. He earned his undergraduate degree, two master’s degrees and a doctor of philosophy in economics and finance degree, all from the University of Mississippi.

In 1972, Hodo became dean of the College of Business at the University of Texas at San Antonio, a position he held until he became president of Houston Baptist University.

He was involved with many for-profit and not-for-profit boards and was a founding board member of USAA Bank, Houston Christian High School, Living Water International and Castle Hills First Baptist School in San Antonio.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years; three children, Allison Hodo Clements of Floresville, Edward Douglas Hodo Jr. of Boerne and Patrick Gunter Hodo of Boerne; 10 grandchildren; and one brother.

“The entire HBU family mourns the passing of Dr. Doug Hodo, but we give God thanks for his faithful service and strong witness for Christ,” HBU President Robert Sloan said. “Dr. Hodo was instrumental in continuing and strengthening the core scriptural commitments of HBU. Much that we are able to do today we owe to him and many others like him among the trustees, faculty and staff who have gone before us. Our prayers are with Sadie and the Hodo family.”

The family has asked in lieu of flowers, consider a donation to the Doug and Sadie Hodo Endowed Scholarship at HBU, the Hill Country Pregnancy Care Center or Faith Comes by Hearing.