1948-2026
It is with great sorrow we announce the passing of our beloved father and grandfather, life partner and a friend to many, Nyal Eugene Hodges. Nyal completed his life’s journey on Sept. 7, 2026, at the age of 78 years.
Nyal, born May 18, 1948, was the only child of James Roy (J.R.) and Reva Maxine (nee Jones) Hodges. He grew up as a member of a hardworking farm family in Panora. The family possessed a strong faith in God, valued integrity and generosity, and cherished their love for and strong bonds with one another and the community. These virtues guided Nyal throughout his life.
Nyal graduated from Panora-Linden High School (now Panorama High School) in 1966. A month before his death, Nyal celebrated his 60-year high school reunion with fellow classmates. A four-sport participant in high school, Nyal’s athletic ability was legendary in the Panora community, especially as a star running back on the school’s football team. For decades, Nyal held the school record for the longest run from scrimmage (99 yards), caught a 95-yard touchdown pass in the same game, and held the season and single game rushing records until both were broken nearly 40 years later by a favorite Panorama High School football player Nyal proudly coached.
Following high school, Nyal attended Iowa State University, graduating in 1970 with a degree in animal science and accounting. In 1972, Nyal married Jacki Downing. The following year ,Nyal and Jacki purchased a farm three miles east of Panora where they raised their children, Bret, Walker and Kelly. Nyal worked tirelessly to support his family, managing cow/calf, sheep and farrow-to-finish crossbred-hog operations, and he farmed 1,000 acres of cropland with his father. At the same time, Nyal actively supported his children’s participation in 4-H, FFA and school athletic events while also serving as an elected member of the Panora Cooperative Elevator and Panora Telecommunications Boards of Directors.
In 1992, Nyal secured certification as a football coach, inspired in part by son Walker’s exceptional performance as a Panorama High School (PHS) running back. He began his 27-year coaching career at PHS as a volunteer, later hired as the team’s running back and offensive coordinator. Nyal often stated his goal as a coach was not about the paycheck or even the X’s and O’s, but about teaching young men that what they learned on the football field would serve them well in the future (i.e., playing and living with passion, respecting self and others, following rules, accepting consequences, striving for excellence). In a 2020 local newspaper article about Nyal’s coaching career, former head coaches and players characterized him as “…extremely dedicated to the kids and community. He loved football and wanted Panorama to be the best…He was a father-like figure to a lot of kids who looked up to him.” Until the day he died, former football players, many who were now fathers with sons who played football for PHS, respectfully addressed Nyal as Coach or Coach Hodges.
After Nyal and Jacki divorced in 1996, Nyal turned over his row crop operation to son, Bret, while continuing to raise Hereford cattle and sheep. He continued to coach football, helped Bret with his growing farming operation, continued to nurture and support Kelly who was becoming an increasingly independent young woman, worked for seven years as a finish carpenter for Barnett Construction, and worked briefly as a certified substitute teacher in surrounding community schools. In 2013, Nyal began work in the Hometown Foods meat department, retiring when his health began to deteriorate several weeks before his death.
In January 1999, Nyal met and fell in love with Dixie Dupey who, at the time, resided in Des Moines. After a flourishing long-distance relationship during which time Nyal patiently transitioned Dixie from city-girl to country-girl, Dixie joined Nyal on the farm in 2005. Their mutual love of animals grew the farm from a small herd of beloved Hereford cattle to a place Dixie lovingly named the Hodges Zoo, replete with animals large and small, four-legged and winged.
Outwardly, Nyal presented himself as a down-to-earth, hard-working man who loved farming, coaching, animals and, of course, Mountain Dew. Those who knew him best knew that, above all else, he loved his children and grandchildren most. He had a kind and passionate heart, had a wonderful sense of humor, was not loud or boisterous, was rarely angry or mean, and deeply regretted the few choices he made that hurt those he loved.
Surviving Nyal are his son Bret (Brandy) Hodges, son Walker Hodges, and daughter Kelly (Joel) Tyler; grandchildren James, Gracie, Blake and Bella Hodges; beloved life-partner Dixie Dupey and her sisters, children and grandchildren; and his faithful companion and chore dog, Eddie. Nyal was preceded in death by his parents, J.R. and Reva Hodges.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, at Faith Bible Church, Panora, with visitation two hours prior to the services at the church. Burial will be in the Brethren Cemetery, Panora. Please join Nyal’s family for lunch and a Mountain Dew toast at the church following the service.
Memorial contributions may be made in Nyal’s honor to any organization of your choosing that supports the care and well-being of animals and children, veterans or the Panora community.
Twigg Funeral Home, Panora, is entrusted with his services.