Last Updated on July 7, 2026 5:43 pm
BOONE, N.C. — James “Jimmy” H. Hodges Jr., a lifelong Watauga County resident who served as a county commissioner and built a wide-ranging business career across the High Country, died Sunday, July 5, 2026, at his home in Boone. He was 85.
Hodges served on the Watauga County Board of Commissioners for twelve years and was involved in numerous community boards and committees throughout his life. He was also an active member of Gideons International for many years.
A graduate of Cove Creek High School, Hodges spent decades as an entrepreneur in the High Country. He began working as a young man in his family's Hilltop Grocery Store and went on to operate a coal yard, a produce and grocery store, and a furniture store with his brother Finley. The brothers later founded Hodges Transfer and Storage. Hodges was also a licensed real estate broker and co-owner of Weber-Hodges Realtors, and developed numerous residential and commercial properties in the region.
Hodges was a faithful member of Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church and Laurel Springs Baptist Church, where he served as a Sunday School teacher and deacon.
Funeral services will be held Friday, July 10, at 2:00 p.m. at Laurel Springs Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from noon until 2:00 p.m. prior to the service. A graveside service will follow at Danner Cemetery in Vilas.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Hodges family.
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Obituary courtesy of Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory
With a heartbroken hallelujah, the family of James “Jimmy” H. Hodges, Jr., surrounded him as he entered peacefully into the presence of the Lord on Sunday, July 5, 2026 at his home in Boone at age 85.
Born to Howard and Eulala (Barnes) Hodges on June 10, 1941, Jimmy was a lifelong resident of Watauga County. After graduating from Cove Creek High School, Jimmy married his high school sweetheart, Judy Brown, and they began their family in the Vilas community where they raised their three sons.
Jimmy was a devoted follower of Christ and a faithful member of both Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church and Laurel Springs Baptist Church where he served as a Sunday School teacher and Deacon in both. He was also an active member of Gideons International for many years.
Jimmy served his community as a Watauga County Commissioner for twelve years as well as serving on various community boards and committees.
Jimmy was a true entrepreneur and enjoyed a long, varied and successful career. At a very young age he began working as a clerk in his family's Hilltop Grocery Store. Over the years, he and his brother, Finley, began and operated many businesses that included a coal yard, a produce and grocery store, a furniture store and later Hodges Transfer and Storage. Until his retirement, Jimmy was an active real estate broker and co-owner of Weber-Hodges Realtors. In his career, he developed many residential and commercial properties in the High Country.
Jimmy was devoted to his family and was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His example, advice, quick wit and generous heart will be greatly missed by his family and those who knew him.
Those who remain to cherish his memory are his wife of 23 years, Glenda Trivette Hodges. His three sons; Tim Hodges and wife, Delora of Vilas, Jamey Hodges and wife, Sharon of Boone and Jonathan (Josh) Hodges and wife, Kristy of Boone. Six grandchildren; Jessie Brown and husband, Kenny, Jennifer Spencer and husband Preston, Isaac Hodges and wife, Taelor, Jonathan Hodges, Caroline Hodges, Lucy Hodges, Jameson Hodges and Harrison Hodges all of Watauga County. Seven great grandchildren; Eulala Joy, Henry, Eleanor, Evelyn Spencer, Isaiah and Malachi Brown, and August Hodges. His siblings; Ruth Shew (Jack), Ruby Hornsby, Finley Hodges (Linda), Rebecca White, and John Hodges (Allison). He is also survived by three stepchildren; Mark Trivette, Kelly Taylor and husband, Tymon and Loren Trivette as well as step grandchildren and a step-great grandchild and a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 42 years, Judy Hodges and infant son, Jeffery D. Hodges. He was also preceded in death by his brothers-in-law Chris White and Joe Hornsby.
Funeral services for James “Jimmy” H. Hodges, Jr. will be conducted Friday, July 10th at 2 o'clock at Laurel Springs Baptist Church officiated by Travis Suits, Craig Church and Bud Russell. The family will receive friends from 12 until 2 o'clock, prior to the service, at the church. Following the service, friends may gather at Danner Cemetery in Vilas for the graveside service.
Memorials may be made to The Gideons International, Boone Camp, P.O. Box 3602, Boone, NC 28607.
Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Hodges Family.
