Funeral services were held Thursday, March 11, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. at De Leon First Baptist Church. Graveside services followed in De Leon Cemetery.

For friends and family unable to attend the service, a live stream will be available: fbcdeleon.org/live-stream.

James Murry Hodges, 63, of De Leon, peacefully passed from this life on Monday, March 8, 2021 in Waco, Texas. He was a twin, born on December 25, 1957 in Gorman, Texas to Robert Murry Hodges and Mickey Daryleen Hodges.

James lived in De Leon all of his life and he graduated with the De Leon High School Class of 1976. He was an outstanding student and athlete, active in FFA, Student Council and football. James was a member of the state championship football team in 1975.

James had a passion for farming which began at an early age. His dad, Robert Hodges, and Grandad Clyde Hodges were his mentors. James passed that love for the land on to his sons, making fourth generation farmers in Comanche County. James raised peanuts, cattle, hay crops, cantaloupe, honeydew melons, Israel melons and most notably, watermelons. In addition to all of this, James loved gardening and planted a garden every year. He could grow just about anything. He enjoyed planting fruit and pecan trees and watching them grow and become productive. Having an abundant garden led to marketing produce which his oldest son, Mason, quickly picked upon at a very young age. Gardening, farming and working outdoors instilled a strong work ethic in his boys. James enjoyed hunting and fishing. He enjoyed time spent with family, a lot of which was done in the field, farming with twin brother John and his wife Kay for many years. James was not afraid of hard work and it was evident. He liked being busy.

James enjoyed good food and thought that Gloria and her mother were two of the best cooks around. James was a member of the Patrick Street Church of Christ in Dublin for many years, taking an active role in worship services leading singing. He liked to sing and enjoyed traditional country music and gospel music. James was a part of the Hodges legacy that will continue to live on. He was loved and will be deeply missed.

James is survived by the mother of his children, Gloria Hodges; his sons, Mason Hodges and Jeffrey Hodges; twin brother, John Hodges and wife Kay of De Leon; brother, Ted Hodges of De Leon; sister, Roberta Hodges of Fort Worth; brother, Andrew Hodges and wife Stephanie of China Spring; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Robert Hodges and Daryleen Hodges and infant brother William Hodges.

The family requests memorial offerings be made to Cherokee Home for Children, Cherokee, Texas.