James Patrick “Pat” Bodin passed away at home, surrounded by loved ones, on January 24th, 2026, in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Pat was born on June 13th, 1947, in Stockton, California to Frank and Truth Bodin. He was the youngest of three children. Pat was raised in Manteca, California. He graduated from Manteca High in 1965.

In 1966 he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. In 1974 he graduated with a bachelor’s degree from CSU Stanislaus. He was commissioned as an officer and served as a Navigator on KC and EC-135’s as well as C-141A’s. He was a Vietnam Veteran stationed in Cam Rahn Bay, from 1967-68. Among his favorite duty stations were Charleston AFB, South Carolina 76-80, RAF Mildenhall UK 83-87, and Castle AFB, California 87-90.

Pat’s second career took him back to California where he worked as a city planner for the towns of Madera and Patterson. He loved watercolor painting, carpentry, sailing, hiking with the family, and taking pictures of nature.

During his tenure in the Air Force, he met his lovely wife Suzanne in Tucson, Arizona. Pat is survived by his wife of 55 years and three children Gregory, Stephen and his wife Mahdieh, and Kathryn and her partner Gary. Pat was preceded in death by his brother Michael and sister Mary K, his parents and grandparents.

Pat’s faith was so important to him. He was heavily involved with Church of the Incarnation. He volunteered for St. Vincent DePaul and was accepted into the Knights of Columbus, becoming a fourth-degree knight. He was also an auxiliary member of The Legion of Mary. Through the Legion, Pat started friendships with patients at the local nursing home, visiting them several times a month. Among his many contributions to the church Pat used his skill of carpentry to help create a prayer garden with “the geezers”.

The funeral for James will be held on February 4th at Church of the Incarnation. The rosary will be held at 9:30 AM, Mass at 10:00 AM with a reception to follow. Burial will take place at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that everyone donate to their favorite charity, or to the family’s favorite charity, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.