James joined the military shortly after graduating from high school. He served honorably in both the United States Navy and in the United States Air Force for over 22 years. He retired from the Air Force in 1971 in the grade of Technical Sergeant.
James was a loving husband and father. He was instrumental in building a Spanish-speaking Christian radio station in Marion, TX and served his community as a Pastor and Sunday school teacher for many years.
James is survived by his wife of 67 years, Geneva Mae Riffle-Hodges; children, Kathy Louise Holden (Randy), James Michael Hodges (Kim), and Brenda Joyce Gibson (Roland); grandchildren, Jeremy Holden, Beth Keller, T.J. Chaffee and Chris Hodges; great-grandchildren, Jacob Keller, Jordan Keller, Colton Chaffee, Jackson Chaffee, Cameron Hodges, Brianna Holden, and Sophia Holden; brothers, Woodrow Hodges and Cranford Hodges; and sister Virginia Lou Ashley.
He is preceded in death by his parents, James and Nora (Stephens) Hodges; brothers, Cleo Harris, Elmo Hodges, Paul Hodges, Buel Hodges, Jarrel Hodges and Bradley Hodges; and sisters, Margaret Hodges and Kathryn Burns.
A visitation for James will be held Friday, August 7, 2020 from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM at Colonial Funeral Home, 625 Kitty Hawk Road, Universal City, TX, followed by a funeral service at 11:30 AM. There will be a private interment at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.colonialuniversal.com for the Hodges family.