On Dec. 19, 2024, Jerry T. Hodges Jr., a revered Tuskegee Airman and civil rights pioneer, passed away at the age of 99. As theĀ last surviving Tuskegee Airman from Arkansas, Hodges leaves a profound legacy that extends far beyond his years in aviation.
Born on June 29, 1925, in Memphis, Tennessee, and raised in the Arkansas Delta, the challenges of segregation marked Hodgesā early years. In 1943, he graduated as valedictorian from Robert R. Moton High School in Marianna. 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 at the historicĀ Tuskegee Army Air FieldĀ in 1945 and served at Lockbourne Air Base in Ohio. Though he did not see combat, he was part of the distinguished 477th Bombardment Group, representing a pivotal moment in U.S. military history. Approximately 992 pilots graduated from the Tuskegee program, and their collective efforts played an essential role in dismantling racial barriers within the armed forces.
Hodgesā Legacy Beyond The Air
After his 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 established his own accounting firm and served as vice president of one of Californiaās pioneering African-American-owned insurance companies.
Hodges was more than just a successful businessman who also devoted much of his life to civic engagement. 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 Foundation, helping to 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. is survived by his wife, Lillian Reed Hodges, and their two daughters. His enduring spirit and commitment to excellence will continue to inspire future generations to pursue equity and justice.
