Joseph Anthony Hodnik passed away August 3, 2023, in Amarillo. He was born to Frank and Fannie Hodnik on February 14, 1948, in Stillwater, Oklahoma. He grew up in Amarillo, Texas, where he attended and graduated from Price College Catholic High School in 1966.

He attended Amarillo College for one year and then enlisted in the United States Navy for three years and was stationed in San Bernardino, California as a Yeoman.

Joe earned three associate degrees, in drafting, commercial art and computer science. His profession took him to a disaster project in California. He lived in many places such as Missouri, Azel, Arlington, Austin, Houston, Waxahachie and Amarillo, Texas.

Joe enjoyed playing sports as a youth and was known as “Joe the Jet” as quarterback for the Price College Catholic High School Cardinals. He had several athletic talents; at his high school graduation he golfed a hole-in-one. He also became a talented power lifter for which he competed and won many awards. He also was a lifeguard for the Knights of Columbus during high school.

Joe married Donna Bumgarner in 1976. Together they were blessed with twins, Joshua, and Jennifer. As he got older, he got busy watching sports with his kids. He liked to exhibit his pitching ability at family gatherings, and he also helped coach his son’s football team for a season. He helped his dad, Frank Hodnik, to create the Panhandle Publication for High School football standouts.

Joe was very artistic, he loved to paint with watercolors, abstract and full of vivid colors. He loved to write. Joe was a free spirit and thinker, not to be tied down to a single way of thinking. He also enjoyed researching his family and genealogy.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Frank, and Fannie Hodnik; his daughter Jennifer and her mother Donna Bumgarner Kirby, as well as his special and beloved Dog, Prince.

Joe is survived by his son, Josh Hodnik, Amy Hodnik, grandkids Jaxon and Avery of Oklahoma City, Ok.; stepson Tony Stewart and family of Fort Myers, FL.; brother David Hodnik of Amarillo; sister Mary Hodnik Francis and husband Corby of Abilene; niece, Briketa Dowell of Amarillo and nephew, Paul Hodnik also of Amarillo, along with many cousins and family members.