After 16 years of service to Watauga County, Glenn Hodges will retire as Clerk of Court and Judge of Probate officially on Tuesday, March 31^st. Hodges was given a surprise retirement party on Saturday at the Broyhill Inn, and was presented with the Order of the Longleaf Pine, which was created in 1965. It is the highest civilian honor that can be granted in the state of North Carolina. It is presented to individuals who have a proven record of extraordinary service to the state. Others who have received the honor include Michael Jordan, Maya Angelou, and Reverend Billy Graham. Hodges was presented the award by NC Supreme Court Justice Sarah Parker. As an active member of the Democratic Party, Hodges was asked to run in the two-year election in 1992, with the 1994 election being the last time Hodges had an opponent in the race. Multiple re-elections have made Hodges the longest term-elected official in Watauga. Superior Trial-Court Coordinator Wanda Howell will serve out the remainder of Hodges' tenure. The clerk's seat will then be up for election in November 2010.