James Darren Hodges

James Darren Hodges, 51, of Freeport, IL passed away Tuesday August 29, 2023 in his home. He was born October 28, 1971 in Chicago, IL to James Earl and Nancy (Hawthorne) Hodges. Darren was a 1990 graduate of Freeport High School. Once a Pretzel, Always a Pretzel. He served in the United States Marine Corp from 1994-1998. Darren was a member of the Freeport Masons. On March 24, 2001 he married Christine Nason-Hodges in Freeport, IL. Darren was a Police Officer with the Freeport Police Department for 23 years. He also worked at FHN Memorial Hospital periodically throughout his life starting in his teenage years.

Darren's hobbies included cooking, smoking meats, cigars, whiskey, taking pride in his yard, the Chicago Bears, attending Iowa State Cyclone football games, and all kinds of automobiles, chrome rims were essential to Darren. He enjoyed powerlifting in his younger years before a groin injury that prevented him from lifting. Halloween was Darren’s favorite holiday and he found great joy in going all out with Halloween costumes and decorations, which included dressing up as Tinker Bell and Madea. He also enjoyed Marvel, John Wick, and anything starring Halle Berry, which his family knew was his “hall pass”. His family loved him for his quick wit and humor. Provide and protect was the motto he lived his life by. Most importantly, Darren enjoyed spending time with his family and he found great joy in watching his son play football and his daughter dance.

He is survived by his wife Christine Hodges of Freeport, IL; father James (Maureen) Hodges of Freeport, IL; son Keegen (Aaliyah Anderson) Hodges of Freeport, IL; daughter Noellani Hodges of Milwaukee, WI; brother Jeremy (Helen) Hodges of Chicago, IL; sister Constance (Al) Marney of Forreston, IL; and two step-sisters Belinda Woods and Briget (Melvin) Thompson, both of Chicago, IL.

Preceding Darren in death are his mothers Nancy Hodges and Rosemary Hodges.

Funeral services will be 3:00 P.M. Friday September 1, 2023 at Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home with Chaplain Sean Huguenin and Elder Dr. Pauls officiating. A visitation will be held from 1:00 P.M. until the time of service. Burial will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. Following the committal service there will be a celebration of life at the Freeport Club with Halloween as the theme. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established in his memory.