James Edwin Hodges

Funeral services for Master Sgt. James Edwin Hodges (Ret.), 87, of Wells will be held Monday, February 19, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Deacon Gary Treviño officiating. Graveside services with military honors will follow in the Mt. Hope Cemetery.

Mr. Hodges was born August 22, 1930 in Wells, Texas to the late James and Edna (Chandler) Hodges. He died peacefully Wednesday, February 14, 2018 in Lufkin.

Mr. Hodges lived most of his life in the town he was born in and was known to his family and friends as BoJay. His work career began at the end of a cross cut saw. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1952, as were many young men. Fortunately, he was stationed in Germany as a part of the NATO forces. It was during this time that he met the love of his life, Rotraud “Trudy”, and the two were married in 1954. In 1957 Mr. Hodges re-enlisted into the U.S. Air Force where he was a jet engine mechanic. He and his wife traveled all over the United States and Europe and made many life-long friends. Together they raised two children. He proudly continued to serve and protect until his retirement in 1974. Upon returning to his hometown he began working for the Wells Independent School District until it was finally time for his second retirement. Mr. Hodges enjoyed gardening and tending to his cows and horses. He cherished his time with his children and grandchildren. He was a strong man with a gentle heart. He would help anyone he could without expecting anything in return and would have willingly re-enlisted at any time if the nation needed him.

Mr. Hodges is survived by his wife of 64 years, Rotraud Hodges; son and daughter-in-law, Thomas and Rebecca Hodges; daughter and son-in-law, Teresa and Sean Roe; grandchildren, Sara Hodges, Michael Hodges, Kristen Neal, Patrick Neal, and Haley Roe; as well as an extensive extended family.

Mr. Hodges loved to read western books and for those desiring, if lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Rube Sessions Memorial Library, P.O. Box 120, Wells, Texas 75976, or St. Patrick Catholic Church, 2118 Lowry Street, Lufkin, Texas 75901.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the CHI Memorial ICU and Memorial Specialty Hospital staffs. Their dedication and effort to provide quality and compassionate care were a heartwarming blessing to family.

Although we will miss his strength, stories and sense of humor, we thank God for the gift of his life and the blessing of the time we spent with him.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Sunday evening at the funeral home.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.