Bob Bodiford: Active in City, Fighter for Country

Dear Readers:

Today I attended the funeral for Bob Bodiford of Powder Springs.

Mr. Bodiford .

For those of you who did not have the pleasure of knowing him or of him let me give you a personal history.

Bob was a man of many places and many accomplishments. He served in the Philippians during WW11.

This was a tough place to be for any military persons. It was hot, humid, the Japanese were dug in and had no intention of giving up. The Islands were very important to them. They fought to the last and were even suicidal. Many years after the war he moved to our area.

One of his sons is Judge James Bodiford. Judge Bodiford has served on some tough cases and is widely admired throughout the region often serving in other counties at the request of their Judiciary. 

I began knowing Bob sometime in the late 90's. I talked and visited with him to get advice on the railroad matter that I have written about. When I decided to run for council in 1999, He was helpful in filling me in on details, suggestions and who to be sure and visit.

After my election, I noted how Bob would come often to council and other city-wide meetings. He was often the only one who showed up for the budget hearings.

This was not someone who simply served his terms and then forgot about city affairs. I took this to heart and is why I am writing these articles.

I guess one could say that he was a mentor to me and I more than appreciate all that he told me. I only regret that I should have visited with him more often. Being a history enthusiast, Bob was a walking and talking book. He had so many experiences from real life that easily complemented my history readings. 

I suspect that he was brave man. He was the last of the "Greatest Generation". 

There aren't many of these folks left. I am going to do my best to find some more of these folks and ask them to tell me about their past experiences. Good or bad, I believe that many of them want to tell us what happened. From their experiences we help ourselves and them. 

Bob Bodiford, Requiescant in pace. 

Tom Bevirt

Anyone with memories of Bob Bodiford can email them to michael.stone@patch.com for publication.