James Hodges

May 16, 1950 - February 1, 2021

James Roy Hodges, 70 of Bates City, Missouri died on Monday, February 1, 2021, at his home in Bates City. He born Tuesday, May 16, 1950 in Independence, Missouri and was the son of the late James Hodges and Dorothy (Samuel) Hodges. He was the husband of Vera (Cones) Hodges and she survives of the home. James graduated from William Chrisman High School in 1968 and attended an autobody and fender repair trade school, where he learned autobody molding and painting. He had a love for all things automobile related. In his younger years he raced cars at the I-70 Speedway. He had a long career with several auto-related fields. He worked as a tow truck driver, drove a school bus for the Blue Springs, MO school district, worked for the KC Auto and Metro Auto Auctions, and mowed for the Jackson County Parks and Rec. Surviving are his mother, Dorothy Hodges of Oak Grove, MO; wife Vera Hodges of the home; one son, Christopher Hodges; one daughter, Michelle Hodges of Warsaw, MO; two step-children, Raymond Doron of Franklin, TN and Michelle Baker of Kansas City, MO; two brothers, Samuel Hodges of Bates City, MO and Todd Hodges of Warsaw; two sisters, Brenda Yant of Inverness, MS and Gwen Gann of Corder, MO; sixteen grandchildren; five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father, James Elbert Hodges, and one infant sister, Carol Hodges. The family will hold a Celebration of Life at a later date.