Memorial services for Ret. Lt. Colonel Russell B. Hodges, 77, of Lompoc, will be 3 p.m. Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at Calvary Baptist Church, 3355 Constellation Road in Vandenberg Village. Private inurnment will be at North Hilmar Cemetery, Hilmar, California.

Mr. Hodges was born October 27, 1930 in San Jose, Calif. to Russell and Veva Fancher Hodges.
He enlisted as a Private in the Army National Guard in March 1948, rising to the grade of Staff Sergeant. He was appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1951 from which he graduated in 1955. He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the U. S. Air Force and entered pilot training, leading to his assignment as a jet airplane flight instructor. He later returned to graduate school after which he was assigned to research and development positions in both aircraft and space vehicle development. In 1965-66, he flew as a combat forward air controller in Viet Nam, serving in support of Army Special Forces (Green Beret) operations. He transferred to Vandenberg Air Force Base in 1978 and retired from active duty in 1981 as a Lieutenant Colonel. After his retirement, he also worked for various aerospace companies between 1981 and 1998 and continued to dedicate much of his time and efforts to furthering the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program. His entry into the Civil Air Patrol in 1995 opened up opportunities to work with the cadet program as a cadet orientation flight pilot and as the Squadron 101 aerospace education officer.

His decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal (3 awards), the Air Medal (16 awards), and the Republic of Viet Nam Cross of Gallantry with Palm. He held a bachelor's degree in military science, a master's degree from the Air Force Institute of Technology in aeronautical engineering, a commercial pilot's certificate with endorsements for multi-engine propeller and jet aircraft, for instrument flight, and was a certified flight instructor.

Russ was also longtime member of the Order of Daedalians and the Calvary Baptist Church.

He died Saturday, December 8, 2007 at Lompoc District Hospital.

Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Irene Hodges of Vandenberg Village; daughters, Margaret Hunt of Winter Haven, Florida and Nancy Vale of Argos, Indiana; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to Calvary Baptist Church Youth and Missions Ministries.

Arrangements are in the care of Starbuck-Lind Mortuary.