Judge James H. Boddie Jr.

Judge James H. Boddie, Jr. (Jim) died peacefully surrounded by his family on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at the age of 76.

Services will be held on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at 2:00 PM at The Episcopal Church Of The Redeemer in Ruston. Officiating will be Father Frank Hughes. Interment will follow at Douglas Cemetery in Ruston under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston. A visitation will be held prior to the service from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer.

Jim is proceeded in death by his parents, James H. Boddie, Sr and Daisey K. Boddie, and a nephew Charles K. Boddie II.

Judge James H. Boddie is survived by his beloved wife of 50 years, Julia W. Boddie; son, William Grimes and wife Robin; granddaughter, Madelyn Grimes; brother, Kent Boddie; niece, Jessica Trichell and numerous great niece, and nephews as well as numerous other loving family members and friends.

Judge James H. Boddie, Jr. graduated with a B.A. Degree from Louisiana Tech in 1971 and received his Juris Doctorate degree from the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law School in 1974. Judge Boddie began his legal career at the office of Gladney and Boddie in Bastrop, Louisiana. After several years of practice, he won election as a Judge of the Louisiana Fourth Judicial District Court, which district covers Morehouse and Ouachita Parishes. After retiring as a sitting judge, Judge Boddie moved to Ruston where he continued to serve as Judge Ad Hoc in many capacities in many venues assigned by the Louisiana Supreme Court. He filled both short and long term judicial vacancies wherever needed. Judge Boddie seldom missed a day of active duty after his official retirement from the bench. Judge Boddie was highly respected as a judge, which was the reason he was so often called upon to serve. He handled many mesothelioma cases in North Louisiana and was the author of several landmark case decisions. Judge Boddie was uncompromising when he believed his decisions to be correct, and his judgments were supported by the Louisiana Appellate Courts. Judge Boddie was justly proud of having been selected in 2020 and 2021 to serve as Justice Pro Tempore and Justice Ad Hoc to the Louisiana Supreme Court, when the illness of a sitting justice led to a vacancy. Such an appointment is a rare honor for any judge. Judge Boddie will be missed by members of both the bench and bar who respected his thoroughness and unwavering dedication to the law.

Judge James H. Boddie attended The Episcopal Church Of The Redeemer in Ruston and enjoyed singing in the choir when his busy schedule permitted. He also was an avid Bridge Player and was a member of the American Contract Bridge League as a Bronze Life Master. He spent many hours playing Bridge at The Bridge House in Monroe, the Bayou Desiard Country Club and at the Senior Center. He was avid gardener and loved seeing his flowers and plants emerge into beautiful displays of color throughout the year.

Judge Boddie's greatest joy was that of his family which included his LSU buddies. He loved the pregame tailgate parties along with cheering his LSU team into victory. He especially loved planning out the weekend of festivities, cooking for days, all for the LSU tailgate party. He travelled to home and away games most weekends with his beloved LSU friends.

Pallbearers are Henry Roane, Kevin Stracener, Eric Person, Scott Kelley, William Grimes, and Kent Boddie.

Honorary Pall Bearers are Cindy Woodard, Ken Lantrip, and Marc Kozar as well as his LSU Tailgate Friends, Donald Gaillot, Thomas Montagnino, and Charles Corkern.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St Jude Hospital, MD Anderson Cancer Center, or Shriners Hospital for Children.

Online condolences may be extended to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com