Byron Earl Hodnett

Byron Earl Hodnett, 80, of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, passed away suddenly on March 24, 2025, as the result of an aneurysm.

Byron was born January 15, 1945, in Valley, AL to John and Dorothy Crowder Hodnett and moved to LaGrange, GA at age ten. He was a proud graduate of Georgia Institute of Technology having attended on a full academic scholarship and receiving a degree in Industrial Engineering in 1967. He was a member of the Theta Chi fraternity. Additional education included graduate studies at Georgia Tech toward an MSIE and an MBA at UNC-Charlotte in 1977.

Following college, Byron joined Booz, Allen and Hamilton Consulting traveling extensively on assignments including the oil and banking industries among others. In 1972, he was recruited to join First Union National Bank in Charlotte, NC. In 1985, Byron moved to Jacksonville, FL to become President of FUNB of Florida. Under his leadership, FUNB Florida merged 44 banks in 10 years becoming the largest bank in the state.

Byron loved his family. Lisa Marie, his only child was born in 1968 during his first marriage. In 1977, he married Leslie Zaccagni of Charlotte, NC. They were looking forward to celebrating their 50th anniversary in 21 months.

He made many contributions in his community including serving as Chairman of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, President of Florida Tax Watch, member of YPO, and various board memberships. He was heavily involved in bringing Pro Football to Jacksonville and had the honor of doing the coin toss at the inaugural Jaguars home game. Over the years, he was a member of various clubs including Charlotte Country Club, Florida Yacht Club, Blowing Rock Country Club, and Everglades Club in Palm Beach.

Retiring in 1999 at 54, he and Leslie moved to Ponte Vedra Beach where they enjoyed many parties in the home they lovingly designed and built. In 2022, they became “pioneers” being among the very first to move into Vicar’s Landing at Oak Bridge. He was happy in his career, and even happier in his retirement, especially living in the supportive community at Vicar’s.

Byron shared many interests with Leslie, especially spending time cruising the intracoastal waterway in “Hot Knots”, their 49 foot Eastbay. They were a good team planning many projects, trips, and parties together. Byron and Leslie were very devoted to each other. He was disciplined in his daily exercise routine and he adored his two

Cavaliers, Katie and Pippa. Their summers were spent in Blowing Rock for the past 37 years and winters in Palm Beach for 20 years. He enjoyed the recent celebration of his 80th birthday with a small dinner party of friends and a surprise visit from his daughter.

He treasured time with his family and friends, especially his granddaughters, Hannah and Abby, and his new great grandson, Jones. He truly loved his church, Christ Episcopal Church, where he took his final steps on a beautiful Sunday morning following worship.

Byron will be remembered by his friends and associates as smart, creative, a good manager, generous, funny, and a consummate storyteller.

Byron is survived by his loving wife, Leslie; his daughter Lisa Richards (Chris), granddaughters Hannah Richards Cook (Aaron), Abby Elyse Richards, and great grandson Jones Bradley Cook, all of Charlotte; his aunt, Joan Hammock, of Valley, Alabama and cousins Stephanie Thrift, Patsy Morris, and Phyliss Candler.

The family thanks the St. Johns County Fire & Rescue and the HCA Memorial Hospital Trauma team for their service.

A celebration of Life Service will be held in his honor at Christ Episcopal Church, 400 San Juan Drive, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, 32082 on April 11, 2025, at 11am. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Vicar’s Landing Scholarship Fund at 1000 Vicar’s Way, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082, The Tom Coughlin Jay Fund, PO Box 50789, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32240 or Christ Episcopal Church.