James Lee Hodge was born on June 20, 1948, in Tarkio, Missouri, to James Franklin “Frank” Hodge and Nellie (Brown) Slemp. Jimmy attended Rock Port High School, Rock Port, Missouri. On January 25, 1968, he was drafted by the United States Army, serving in the Vietnam War and later a point man protecting his brothers in arms and was very proud of all his medals. Jimmy received his honorable discharge on January 23, 1970.

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 Lead Smelting.

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 Szeczepanowski. Survivors include wife, Leila Hodge; daughters, Jamie (Nathan) Morton, Laura Hodge, and Jennifer (Jeff) Fisher; grandchildren, Hailey (Damian Wilson) Morton, Connor Morton, Caitlyn Gillespie, and Sydney Fisher; great-granddaughter, Gianinna Morton; siblings, Diana (Andy) Wallace, Steve (Cheryl) Hodge, and Ruth (Javiar) Barbosa; sisters-in-law, Sandy Marr, Cheryl Szeczepanowski, and Tina Abbott-Bowerman; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 15, 2025, at Community of Christ Church, Shenandoah, Iowa, conducted by Officiants Mark and Shawn Manchester and Officiant Shelly Selleck. There is no scheduled visitation. Military rites will be under the auspices of Allen-Schiffern American Legion Post #199, Tarkio. Private family inurnment will be held at a later date. Memorials may be directed to the James Hodge Memorial Fund. Arrangements are under the direction of Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio. Online condolences may be made at www.minterfuneralchapels.com.