James Blayne Bodily

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James Blayne Bodily, 93 years old, passed away July 22, 2021, at his home in Raft River in the arms of his son. Jim was born the youngest of 7 children to Joseph Phillips Bodily and Charlotte Lucretia Stoker on October 19, 1927, in Syracuse Utah. His father passed away when he was 13 years old. He then took over the family farm and helped his mother until he was drafted into the Korean Conflict. After returning from Korea, Jim was introduced to Melba RaNae Anderson of Kanesville, Utah, by her cousin. They fell in love and were married in the Salt Lake City Temple in 1954. They were married for 67 years.

Early in their marriage they resided in Syracuse, Utah, where Jim built his own house on the family farm. He worked at Smedley’s Plumbing and Heating as a journeyman plumber along with taking care of the family’s small farm and his aging mother. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his Syracuse friends and his brother Howard.

When the housing boom slowed in Clearfield in 1972, he took a big leap of faith and bought a farm and moved his family of 7 and his herd of sheep to Raft River, Idaho, so he could farm full time. He continued to work as a plumber in Utah for a couple more years driving back and forth on the weekends to farm. He raised alfalfa hay, grain, sugar beets, red potatoes and a large garden. He also put in thousands of miles year after year hauling hay to Utah to sell in the winter. The family recalls that they used to go on family vacations, camping, hunting and fishing; but that all ended when they bought the farm. The camper was moved to Idaho and parked, never to move again. Vacations were replaced with quality family time….out working in the fields, hoeing beets, hauling hay, tending water and driving harvest trucks. Jim was still driving beet truck up into his mid 80’s. Raising his 5 children on the farm, Jim taught them all the art of hard work and the ethics of getting the job done, doing it right and don’t quit till you are done. He had a saying that he passed down to his children and grandchildren, “Don’t ever set your coat or your lunch box down because you may not see either the rest of the day.”

In 2014, Jim was surprised by receiving a special accommodation, a medal, from Korea for his military services. He was also honored to receive the Grand Farmer Award from Farm Bureau in 2016.

He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving in many callings over the years. One of his favorite callings was working in the Logan Temple for many years and then in the Twin Falls Temple.

James is survived by his wife Melba; his children Charlotte (Leon) Paskett, Buhl, Idaho; Norman (Glenda) Bodily, Raft River, Idaho; Karen Parton, Albion, Idaho; Vedamae (Kori) Leifeste, Salmon, Idaho; and Ilajean Bodily, Raft River, Idaho; 11 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Veda Arave, Mae Bodily, Ross Bodily, Howard Bodily, Doris Garlick, Kathryn Peterson, son in law Jim Parton, three grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

A viewing will be held Tuesday, July 27, 2021, at Morrison Payne Funeral Home from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.  The funeral will be held at the Raft River Ward chapel, 2551 E. 300 S. in Declo (Raft River) on Wednesday, July 28, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. with a viewing for one hour prior. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Morrison Payne Mortuary in Burley.

The family would like to thank the dedicated hospice care workers and neighbors that have helped with his care over the past year.

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