John Hodges, 78, of Fields, died suddenly, Friday, Jan. 8, 2021 in Catlow Valley, Harney County. He passed away of complications of COVID-19 that he had contracted at his home in Fields. He had underlying health conditions.

John was born in Willcox, Ariz. on Aug. 23, 1942, to Lois Fennell Hodges and John Oscar Hodges. He was the oldest of five children.

John, began working on the ranch at an early age. John attended school in Bisbee, Ariz. In November of 1960 he entered the US Navy and served aboard the USS Washburn. When he returned from the Navy, he married and had a girl, Chandra Kay Hodges in 1966 and Glen Alan Hodges born in 1968.

John began his career as a heavy equipment mechanic in Blythe, Calif. He had a natural talent for troubleshooting and repairing equipment for the duration of his life. In 1973 he moved to La Grande to work for the CAT Dealer, Western Equipment Company and transferred to John Day where he lived for four years. He made several lifelong friends there, where he enjoyed fishing and hunting elk.

In 1977 he moved to Burns, where he married Christine on July 1, 1978 at the St. Andrews Episcopal Church. Their son, Cody Shaun Hodges was born in July 1979. He joined his stepsister, Becky Pearson. In 1980, John decided to start his own equipment repair business in Harney County, Field Service Repair Company. He worked for many customers in the county during the duration of the 35 years in business. He was a hard worker and strived to do a good job. While living in Fields, John read irrigation meters for Harney Electric, was a Oregon State Livestock Inspector, and plowed snow for Harney County Road Department.

He enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing and exploring new country, especially the Steens and Fish Lake. In Dec. 1999, John and Chris moved to Fields. This was one of their favorite areas to camp, so when they saw the house next to the Fields Station was for sale, they decided to buy it.

Some thought they were moving too far out in the middle of nowhere. Well it has been 21 years, and they decided it was the best decision they ever made. In 2003, Chris opened a Bed and Breakfast and have the pleasure of hosting many guests over the years. John and Christine were married for 42 years and always felt blessed to live in Harney County.

John is preceded in death by son, Cody Hodges; two sisters, Debbie Hodges and Kathleen Hodges; and a brother, Shannon Hodges; parents, Lois and John Hodges; and mother-in-law, Bunny Pope.

John is survived by his wife, Christine of Fields; brother, Jim Hodges of Benson, Ariz.; stepdaughter, Rebecca Pearson of San Diego, Calif; daughter-in-law, Kimberly Hodges of Ferndale, Wash.; grandchildren, Aanikka Hodges, Kyas Hodges, and Athena Hodges of Ferndale, Wash.; daughter, Chandra (Jim) Dickinson of Mason, Tenn.; son, Glen Hodges of Spokane, Wash.; grandchildren, Nichole Dickinson and Zachary Dickinson of Mason, Tenn.; in-laws, Randy and Kathy Gilliam and Roger and Jo Crisafi.