Leonard Ray Hodge, 79

THE RIVER IS CALLING AND I MUST GO

Leonard (Len) was born and raised in Colfax, Wash., to Adrian and Mildred (Anderson) Hodge.

Len spent his high school years at UCA, where he met who would soon become his wife.

Len and Nyla (Weinand) were married Nov. 11, 1962, at the ripe old age of 20 in Sandpoint, Idaho. While Len was at junior college in Yakima, Wash., he was blessed, ready or not, with his daughter, Sally. Shortly after that, they moved to Ellensburg, Wash., here he graduated with a degree in accounting. His first shirt-and-tie job was with Weyerhaeuser in Longview, Wash., where once again they were blessed with baby number two, son Timothy. Nine months later, their lifelong dream to live in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, became a reality. There he went to work for Magnuson Mchugh & Co., P.A., in 1969. During the 40-plus years of his career there, he gained his CPA license and rose to the status of partner.

Outside of work, Len shunned the indoors. You could always find him in some outdoors pursuit. Running, camping, fishing, hiking, waterskiing, snow skiing, watching grandkids' sports, and, his favorite of all time, white-water rafting! He had many adventures as a passenger and then as a guide. Len had grand times with family, friends and friends-to-be on the river.

All lives are filled with sorrow and joy. Len's greatest sorrow was the unexpected death of his son, Tim, at the age of 21. But joy follows sorrow and he was blessed with lots of family; son-in-law Dennis, grandsons Cody(Nikki), Casey (Willie Jo); granddaughter Randi (Max Clutter) and eight of the cutest great-grandchildren ever: Myka, Mabel, Griffin, Zane, Archie, Reese, Timothy and Jesse.

Preceding Len in death were his parents, his beloved brother, Dick, and, of course, son Tim.

Surviving him are his wife, Nyla, daughter Sally (Spencer) and her family, sister Charlene and many in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends that he considered family.

There will be a viewing at English Funeral Chapel, 1133 N 4th Street, 3-5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 23. Funeral service is Wednesday, Aug. 24, at Coeur d’Alene Adventist Church, 111 Locust Ave., Coeur d'Alene at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to an Alzheimer’s research in your area. Please sign Leonard Hodge’s guest registry and view an online memorial at www.English funeral chapel.com

Service will be live-streamed at Facebook.com/CDA Adventist.org