Lewis William Hodge, 89, of Fort Morgan, recently of Colorado Springs, died at Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center in Brush, on Sunday, June 27th, 2010, following a courageous battle with cancer. He was born September 3, 1920 in Rostraver, Pennsylvania, to the late Lewis Edgar and Anna Hudspath Hodge. By age 3, both parents had died, so he went to live with his grandparents. At age 6, he lost his grandmother and an aunt took him in to live with her. The aunt died when he was a sophomore in high school. He then moved in with a neighbor and worked on a farm for room and board until he finished his schooling. This was during the heart of the Great Depression - the middle 1930's. At age 18, he joined the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps). In 1940, he returned to his hometown in Pennsylvania, and worked in the steel mills as a laborer, then was promoted to operating an electrical crane. He worked at this job until World War II started. In August of 1942, he applied for and was accepted into the Aviation Cadet Pilot Training Program, graduating as an Army Pilot in January 1944 as a 2nd Lieutenant. After further training as a B-17 Bomber Pilot, he was sent to Italy in 1944 where he flew 50 missions over Germany, France, Italy, Romania, Yugoslavia and Eastern Europe. In 1945 he returned to the USA and trained in the C-54 Transport. He flew Transport Missions from the U.S. to the Pacific until Japan surrendered. In 1946, he was discharged due to the reduction of forces and transferred to the Reserves. The "Cold War" began so he re-enlisted in 1946 in the Air Traffic Control. In 1948, he was transferred to Germany for the Berlin Air Lift, where he remained until 1952 In 1953, he was discharged to accept a recall position as Captain, USAF Pilot and Traffic Control Supervisor where he worked in Iceland with Icelandic Air Force under NATO, returning to the U.S. in 1954. He then departed for another span of duty in Europe serving in France, Italy, Belgium, India and Africa from 1960-1963 retiring with the rank of Major. From 1967-1986 he worked as a Civilian at the Air Force Academy in "Air Operations" with the Cadet Flying Training Squadron. His military decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Outstanding Unit Medal, Good Conduct Medal, North American Defense Medal, EAME Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Humane Action Medal, German Occupation Medal, National Defense Medal, Service Longevity Medal and the Air Force Reserve Medal. He was a longtime member of the Pikes Peak United Methodist Church in Colorado Springs, The American Legion Post 05, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4051. After retirement, Lew enjoyed skiing with the Copper Mountain Ski Patrol, scuba diving with family and as a volunteer with Earth Watch, volunteer driver with Silver Key of Colorado Springs, spending time with family, astrology and hiking. In addition to his parents and first wife, Lucille, he was preceded in death by a brother Edgar Marion Hodge. He is survived by wife, Fanella Hodge of Fort Morgan; a son, Gary Hodge of Colorado City; two daughters, Lori Tunnell of Jacksonville, FL,and Patti Kuretich and her husband, Kevin, and their two children, Brandon and Kaelin Kuretich, of Fort Morgan. A memorial service will be Thursday, July 8, 2010 at 1:00 PM at the Pikes Peak United Methodist Church, 2927 West Pikes Peak Avenue in Colorado Springs. Inurnment will follow at 3:00 PM with military honors at the Evergreen Cemetery in Colorado Springs. Lew was involved in many charitable organizations. To honor his memory, donations may be made in his name in care of the Heer & Dahl Mortuary, 225 E. Platte Ave., Fort Morgan, CO 80701.