On Tuesday, August 3, 2021, James (Jim) Edward Hodges left this world and stepped in the presence of our Savior, Jesus Christ. He heard the words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” He will now forever be in the presence of our Holy God. He will be free from his limitations, discomforts, and restrictions of a weakened body and he has a new body in Christ.
Jim was born on August 19, 1957, in St. Louis, Missouri. After high school, he immediately went into the US Marines to serve our country. After the Marines, he joined the US Navy and served for three terms. After leaving the military, Jim served as a Correctional Officer for Fresno County for 25 years.
He met his wife, Rhonda Sasser Hodges, while he was stationed at the St. Louis airport as a Naval Liaison. We used to say that he was at the airport when his ship came in.
Jim and Rhonda married on April 16, 1983. They have two beautiful daughters, Amanda Hodges and Crystal Hodges-Johnson. We have one living granddaughter, Madison. When Jim would hug her, he would say, “I’m going to keep you!” Madison would respond, “No, Papa. You can’t keep me!” This was their game.
When Jim entered heaven, after being welcomed by Jesus, he no doubt joined his parents, Arthur and Freeda Hodges, his sister, Sue Hodges-Yates and our first little granddaughter, Ashley Elizabeth Howard. He is now forever “keeping” Ashley and holding her close.
Jim is survived by his wife, Rhonda, his daughter Amanda and her beautiful daughter Madison, and daughter and son-in-law Crystal and Richard. He also leaves behind his sister, Beverly Hodges and his brother Richard Hodges, his outlaws – I mean – in laws, Millard and Margie Sasser, Dan & Joanna Felts, Ted & Felicia Lopez as well as several nieces and nephews on both sides.
He will be missed. His sense of humor, his generosity, his candor and yes – even his annoyances will be missed, some he carefully and skillfully developed over time specifically for Rhonda and the girls.
Visitation will be held will be on Tuesday, August 17, 2021, from 4:00 – 6:00 at Boice Funeral Home located at 308 Pollasky Avenue, Clovis, CA 93612.
Jim’s Funeral Service and Life Celebration will be held on Wednesday, August 18 (the day before his 64th Birthday) at 12:30 pm.
The service will be held at his home church, Clovis Free Will Baptist Church located at 135 North Peach Avenue, Clovis, CA 93612.
Interment will be at the Clovis Cemetery on North Villa immediately following the service. Full military honors will be performed at the grave site.
Jim was deeply involved in our church’s audio-visual ministry. Therefore, in lieu of flowers, the family requests that remembrances be made to the Clovis FWB Church Audio-Visual Fund, 135 North Peach Avenue, Clovis, CA 93612.
“…Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Yes says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors…”
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.boicefuneralhome.com for the Hodges family.
