James Dennis Hodge, Jim to most, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, December 19th, 2020, at the home of his son Dr. Robert Hodge, Pewee Valley, Ky. Jim was born on January 21st, 1927 to Dennis and Mary Ita Hodge. Jim was a lifelong resident of Princeton, Kentucky. He graduated from Butler High School in 1945 where he was a member of the football team and played the clarinet and saxophone in the band. Following graduation he joined the army and served in Germany in World War II. After returning home from the war, he met the love of his life, Lana. They were married at First Baptist Church on Christmas Day, 1947. He and Lana were both baptized at First Baptist Church where he would attend and serve faithfully for the rest of his life. Jim spent his career in the automobile industry and running the family business, Hodge Motors. He was a great slalom skier, tennis and ping-pong player and champion bowler. Later in life he became an avid golfer and had at least 8 hole-in-ones. He also loved traveling and driving out west, last driving solo 7000 miles around the western states at the age of 90. Jim would probably say his motto in life was “get there early”. Yet his true priorities in life were displayed not in words but in action through hard work and in the quiet service of others. He cared for Lana as she fought the effects of Type 1 Diabetes. Later he lovingly cared for his special friend, Sitter Fletcher. He chauffeured friends and neighbors to doctor’s appointments or anywhere they needed to go. He was a faithful visitor to the homebound and those in nursing homes and hospitals. Undoubtedly when Jim entered Heaven, he was welcomed by Jesus saying, “Well done good and faithful servant”. Jim was overjoyed about his family. He would marvel at how richly God had blessed him and would brag about his children, grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren to anyone who would listen. Jim is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Lana, his brother Bill (Laureen) Hodge and his grandson, Ryan Hodge. Jim is survived by his children Dr. Wayne (Nina) Hodge and Nancy (Ken) Kerkhoff as well as his grandchildren: Jennifer (Tanner) Nichols, Emily (Chris) Harris, Rob (Abby) Hodge, Matt (Amy) Kerkhoff, Brad (Shannon) Kerkhoff and Jed (Leah) Kerkhoff and his great-grandchildren: Annie, Lilly and Meg, Jack, Kate and Lila, Graham, Grey and Hunter, Mady, Kate and Beck, Colton, Elizabeth and Kenny, Kennedy and Carson and nephew Steve (Kathy) Hodge, niece Trish Hodge and former daughter-in-law, Sandy Hodge. A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Samaritan’s Purse online at Samaritanspurse.org.
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