James L. Hodge

James Lee Hodge was born on June 20, 1948, in Tarkio, Missouri, to James Franklin “Frank” Hodge and Nellie (Brown) Slemp. Jimmy attended school in Rock Port, Missouri. He was drafted by the United States Army and served in the Vietnam War in 1968-1969. He was a point man, protecting his brothers in arms and was very proud of all his medals.

After returning home from Vietnam, Jimmy was united in marriage to Edith Bailey and they became the parents of one daughter, Jennifer. They later divorced. While working in Council Bluffs, Iowa, he met Leila Abbott and they were united in marriage in May of 1977 by Leila’s grandfather. They became the parents of two daughters, Jamie and Laura.

Jimmy worked hard all of his life, picking apples and cutting meat at numerous beef plants. In 2010, he took an early retirement due to health concerns after being employed for 26 years by Schuylkill and Exide, Forest City, Missouri as a lead foreman.

Jimmy loved spending time with his family, working on his pickups, and hunting. He also enjoyed traveling, camping, and visiting with friends. He passed away peacefully on Friday, February 28, 2025, at his home in Westboro, Missouri, at the age of 76.

Besides his parents, Jimmy was preceded in death by step-parents, Orville “Buck” Slemp and Lucille (Red) Hodge; siblings, Lanath Wells, Joanna (Harold) Cook, and Sharlyn Chitwood; nieces and nephews; father- and mother-in-law, James and Frances Abbott, and brothers-in-law, Tom Abbott, Mike Marr, and Terry Szczepanowski. Survivors include wife, Leila Hodge; daughters, Jamie (Nathan) Morton, Laura Hodge, and Jennifer (Jeff) Fisher; grandchildren, Hailey (Damian Wilson) Morton, Connor Morton, Caitlin (Richard) Sooley, and Sydney Fisher; great-granddaughter, Gianinna Morton; siblings, Diana (Andy) Wallace, Steve (Cheryl) Hodge, and Ruth (Javiar) Barbosa; sisters-in-law, Sandy Marr, Cheryl Szczepanowski, and Tina Abbott-Bowerman; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial Service: 11:00 A.M., Saturday, March 15, 2025, Community of Christ Church, Shenandoah, Iowa.

There is no scheduled visitation.

Private family inurnment will be held at a later date.

Memorials: James Hodge Memorial Fund.

Arrangements: Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio.

www.minterfuneralchapels.com