James Hodges Jr.

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. — James “Jim” Samuel Hodges Jr., 90, of East Prairie died Saturday, March 4, 2017, at Cotton Point Nursing Facility in Matthews, Missouri.

He was born Oct. 7, 1926, in Sikeston, Missouri, to the late James Samuel and Emma Thelma Arnold Hodges Sr.

From childhood, he lived and worked with the family on a farm west of Sikeston off Salcedo Road until January 1944, when he dropped out of high school and changed his birthdate to make himself of age to join the U.S. Marines and fight overseas in World War II.

After completing his service to his country, he returned to Sikeston High School to play football, lettering for the Sikeston Bulldogs in 1946, and completed his education.

In 1947, he married Patricia M. Heuschober at Maple Avenue Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau.

He worked as store manager for Kroger Co. in Cairo, Illinois; Clinton, Kentucky; and Du Quoin, Illinois, winning many district awards for his stores, until owning and operating Tru-Valu IGA store in East Prairie from 1962 until 2005, when he retired and sold his business.

He supported his community, and he was a past member of the East Prairie Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis and East Prairie Spur and Saddle Club. He was a devoted supporter of East Prairie youth sports.

He was a member of the Nelson Memorial United Methodist Church and was its oldest living member.

He enjoyed owning quarter horses and found pleasure in riding his horses and attending sports events of his sons, grandsons and great-grandsons.

A man of strong faith in God and country and his family, he worked tirelessly.

By his example, he expressed honesty and fairness in combination with a tremendous work ethic, topped off with a smile and a genuine appreciation for the people he worked with and worked for.

He loved his memories of all his years in East Prairie, working and raising his family, and always modestly saying, “East Prairie had been good to me.” He was a good man.

Survivors include his wife, Patricia Hodges of their home; son, Steve Hodges of East Prairie; son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Debbie Hodges of Montrose, Colorado; daughter and son-in-law, Cindy and Rick Nowell of New Madrid, Missouri; grandsons, James Hodges of New Madrid and Andrew and wife Natalka Hodges of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Adam Hodges of Branson, Missouri, and David Wayne Prince of Cape Girardeau; and great-grandsons, William Patrick Hodges and Samuel Peyton Hodges of New Madrid.

He was preceded in death by his parents and by 15 siblings, Laura Martha Hodges, John Shelton Hodges, Flora Ellen Hodges Morse, Wesley Mortimer “Bobe” Hodges, Sadie Mae Hodges Patterson, Thelma May Hodges, Cassie Thelma Hodges Patterson, James Finis Hodges, Margaret Pearl Hodges, Mary Irene Hodges Carter Gross, Virgin Lorene Hodges Mays, Vera Gertrude Hodges Stafford Wilkinson, Bettie Ruth Hodges McGregor, Billy Gene Hodges and Preston Samuel Hodges.

Visitation and funeral service were held Thursday at Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum, with Pastor Gary Hodges officiating. Entombment followed, with full military honors.

Memorial contributions may be given to Nelson Memorial United Methodist Church of East Prairie, Alzheimer’s Association or the Veterans Association.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.