James Hodges

Mr. James Henry Hodges of Foster, Virginia passed away on Sunday, March 26, 2023, at the age of 76.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 1, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. at Faulkner Funeral Homes, Foster-Faulkner Chapel, 160 Main Street, Mathews, VA 23109. Interment with military honors will take place upon the grounds of Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, 5310 Milners Road, Suffolk, VA 23434 on Wednesday, April 5th at 2:00 p.m., following a short ceremonial service at the cemetery committal shelter.

Jim was born July 28, 1946, to James Matthew and Mary Basnight Hodges. Growing up in Washington, NC, Jim graduated from Washington High School where he lettered in basketball for the Pam Pack. Jim served his country in the United States Navy as a sailor in a Construction Battalion in Chu Li, Vietnam where he was wounded. When healed, he went back to Chu Li and finished his tour of duty there. He was a proud “Sea-Bee.”

Jim returned home after Vietnam and began his career in pharmaceutical manufacturing and engineering. Jim enjoyed his career path with several pharmaceutical giants such as Burroughs-Wellcome, GlaxoSmithKline, and AstraZeneca. He retired from Pfizer Pharmaceuticals in 2004 as a Global Support Manager specializing in OSHA and FDA compliance worldwide. Jim supported Pfizer manufacturing plants in several countries, including Ireland, France, Puerto Rico, Brazil, and Sweden; he traveled extensively to ensure that products were acceptable by FDA standards. Jim was well respected by his colleagues for his work ethic and ability to inspire others with his talent and knowledge of chemical compounding. He was part of the initial manufacturing of well-known medications such as Zovirax, Digoxin, Exosurf, Sudafed, the first HIV medications approved by the FDA, and many cancer medications. Jim also had tools patented which he used in chemical manufacturing and personally developed.

Jim was proud to be a Freemason, and he strived to uphold the values of that organization during his lifetime. He spent many hours enjoying his hobbies. He loved watching college basketball and was a dedicated UNC Tar Heels fan. One of his fondest memories was attending an NIT game in Madison Square Garden with his brother Ray to watch the Tar Heels play. Model trains and radio-controlled airplanes were a special interest, but his passion was fishing. Jim’s favorite style of fishing was a cane pole, a bobber, and a worm on a hot summer morning, eating fried bologna sandwiches. His favorite fish were brim, and he loved coaxing them from their homes in “brackish” water.

After retirement, Jim relocated to Foster, Virginia in Mathews County, spending the best years of his life with his beloved wife, Linda Britton, and enjoying their world together.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, J.M. and Mary Hodges, his infant son Christopher Alan, infant sister Peggy Hodges, and his wonderful dog Tangay.

Jim is survived by his wife Linda; daughters, Shannon Hodges Craft of Williamston, NC and Catherine Hodges Colson and husband Marcus of Winona, KS and their families; stepchildren, Shane Britton, Brandon Britton, and Bryan Britton, and Kendra Britton Lynn and families; brothers, Tommy and Donald Ray Hodges of North Carolina and their families, as well as grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and many friends made along the way.

No one was a stranger to Jim. He will be missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Wounded Warrior Project at https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/