John Lewis Hodges, Jr.

John “Buddy” Lewis Hodges, Jr., age 81, of Lithia Springs, Georgia passed away Thursday, August 8, 2024. He was born September 18, 1942 in Miami, Florida. Buddy proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force, retiring from the 116th Fighter Wing of the Georgia Air National Guard after more than 20 years of service to the U.S. Air Force. His unit was deployed to Korea, Morocco, Panama, Germany, Thailand and Turkey. Buddy was the recipient of many awards and accolades during his many deployments overseas, as well as his humanitarian awards for assisting in flood ravaged South Georgia and the 1993 heavy snows of Georgia.

In civilian life, he continued to spend his life helping others. Buddy moved to Douglas County, where he served as one of the first volunteer firefighters in Douglasville. Known as a protector and defender, Buddy served with the Douglasville Police Department, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department and he also worked the Search and Rescue Team with the Civil Defense. Buddy retired from the Douglas County Fire Department, where he served as the Division Chief of the Support Division. Buddy never let you down and was a “man among men”, and he was everybody’s friend. Buddy loved deer hunting and riding motorcycles and was known as the “Gentle Giant”.

Preceding him in death were his parents, John Lewis Hodges, Sr. and Myrtle (Murphy) Hodges; and a sister, Beverly Todd.

Those left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife of 63 years Sarah (Peel) Hodges; children, Scott Hodges (Joan), Alayne McCune and Julie Cooper (Terry); chosen brother, Ron Pittman (Portia); eight grandchildren, Samantha, Kimberly, Jonathan, Pamela, Shane, John, Alex and Sydney; sixteen great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Jerry Peel (Gail); numerous other family members and a host of friends. Admired, respected and loved by those whose lives he touched.

A graveside service is planned for Monday, August 19, 2024 at 11:00 AM in Rosehaven Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in memory of John “Buddy” Hodges, Jr. to www.alz.org

If ordering a floral tribute, please contact our preferred florist for guaranteed service: Frances Florist, 12641 Veterans Memorial Highway Douglasville, GA, (770) 949-8711 or online at https://www.francesflorist.net

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.whitleygarner.com for the Hodges family.

Whitley-Garner at Rosehaven is honored to be entrusted with the services of Mr. John Hodges, Jr.