Warren Gilbert Hodges, 77

Warren Gilbert Hodges, 77, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Monday, July 20, 2009, at his home in Sagle, Idaho.

An outdoor memorial at Lake Pend Oreille will be held on Sunday afternoon, Aug. 9.

Warren was born Oct. 3, 1931, in Hemet, Calif., the son of Theadore S. Hodges and Nellie Mae Bassett.

He served his country in the United States Navy during the Korean War as a sonarman on a mine sweeper.

Warren’s career in the space industry began in 1956 at Jet Propul-sion Labor-atory in Pasa-dena, Calif., working as a test and associate engineer on the Mariner and Voyager programs.

Warren joined NASA in 1988 as program operations specialist at NASA headquarters in Washington D.C., in the Microgravity Science Division.

Warren retired in 1994, spending many days fishing on the Potomac River.

In 1998, he and his wife Jean moved to Sagle, Idaho, building their dream home complete with bass pond.

He enjoyed fishing, spending time outdoors, and cooking for all his dear friends. He was a master knife maker, and served as a hospice volunteer while living in Maryland.

He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 25 years, Jean Robinson Hodges of Sagle; a son, Mark Hodges of Long Beach, Calif.; two grandchildren, Phillip A. Hodges of Long Beach, Calif.; and Yvonne Hodges of Issaquah, Wash.; a stepson, John Hodges of Lake Havasu City, Ariz.; a stepdaughter, Debbie Hodges Hoefler of Lake Havasu City, Ariz.; an aunt, Sara Lee Messerall of Saticoy, Calif; four nephews; and numerous friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother ,Wilbur M. Hodges of Bend, Ore.

Memorial donations may be made to Panhandle Animal Shelter, 870 Kootenai Cutoff Road, Ponderay, ID 83852 or to the American Heart Association.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements.

Please visit Warren’s online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his guest book.