Desmond D. Hodoh,  age 28, passed away suddenly on June 9, 2024 in Akron, Ohio.

Desmond D. Hodoh was born April 22, 1996 in Akron, Ohio to Roy Hodoh and Dion Hatch. He attended elementary and middle school in Akron where he excelled academically. Desmond played football at a young age, but his first and only love was “Basketball”. For 10 years, he played basketball with his AAU family “King Of The Court.” He was a graduate of Shaker Heights High School and he was an honor/merit role student. His big break in basketball came with the Shaker Heights basketball team. He was known as the defensive stopper throughout the Cleveland area, shutting down the opposing teams’ best player. He took great pride in that role.

After graduating from Shaker Heights High School, he went on to study Computer Information Systems at Livingstone College, Salisbury, NC.  Desmond graduated with honors (3.6 GPA) from Livingstone with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Information Systems.

Desmond worked several different career avenues until he found his passion, which was helping others. He started with Stewart and Calhoun as an intern, and was recently promoted to a full-time Morgue Assistant position. Desmond really enjoyed working at Stewart and Calhoun. All of the staff talks about his beautiful smile and his great work ethic. He was working towards his embalming license.

Desmond was an amazing young man. He was absolutely brilliant beyond his years, and led an extraordinary life. He was an excellent father who loved his son beyond words. It was a joy to watch him playing and interacting with his son, Mavi. He had a smile that would brighten the room and jokes that would make you laugh until you cried. He was extremely artistic. He loved expressing his thoughts and feelings through his poetry, art and photography. Desmond will be greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Ben Hatch.

He is survived by his father, N. Roy (April) Hodoh, Jr.; mother, Dion Hatch; fiancé, Kendall Stephens; son, Amavi Namore Hodoh; paternal grand-parents, N. Roy (Bernice) Hodoh; maternal grandmother, Sandy Hatch;   brother, Devante Hatch; and step-brother, Ryan C. Alexander, and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. We can’t forget special mentor and family friend, Chris Dennis and his King of the Court Family.

May Desmond Hodoh’s memory be a blessing to all who knew him.

Condolences may be sent to 275 N. Portage Path, Unit 5H, Akron, OH 44303.