On December 19, 2024, Tuskegee veteran and civil rights pioneer Jerry T. Hodges Jr. He died at the age of 99. Last surviving Tuskegee Airman from ArkansasHodges leaves a deep legacy that extends far beyond his years in aviation.
Born on June 29, 1925, in Memphis, Tennessee, and raised in the Arkansas Delta, the hardships of segregation marked Hodges’ early years. In 1943, he graduated from Robert R. Moton High School in Marianna as valedictorian. His passion for aviation soon led him to leave Hampton Institute (now Hampton University) to enlist in the Army Air Corps during World War II.
Hodges completed his rigorous training in history Tuskegee Army Air Field (In 1945, he served at Lockbourne Air Force Base, Ohio.He was part of the 477th Bombardment Group, the most distinguished fighter in US military history.Some 992 pilots graduated from the Tuskegee program, and their collective efforts were instrumental in breaking down racial barriers within the armed forces.
Hodges’ off-air legacy
After military service, Hodges earned a degree in accounting and finance from the University of Southern California in 1950. He became one of the first licensed African-American CPAs in Los Angeles. He successfully founded his own accounting firm and served as vice president of one of California’s leading African American-owned insurance companies.
Hodges was not a successful businessman who devoted much of his life to civic involvement. He co-founded the Los Angeles branch of the David Rockefeller Interracial Council on Business Opportunity. He served as president of the Tuskegee Airmen Scholarship Fund, helping create pathways for aspiring students. In 2012, in recognition of his tireless work, Hodges was inducted into the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame.
Jerry T. Hodges Jr. survived by his wife, Lillian Reed Hodges, and two daughters. His enduring spirit and commitment to excellence will continue to inspire future generations to strive for justice and fairness.
