James Russell Codlin

Published 3:44 pm Friday, February 28, 2025

James Russell Codlin, formerly of LaGrange, passed away on February 22, 2025, in home hospice care in New York, surrounded by his family.

Jim was born on July 27, 1946, in Springfield, Illinois, the son of James Burton Codlin and Elsie Larsen Codlin, who preceded him in death.

Jim graduated from Lake Forest High School in Lake Forest, Illinois, then went on to Iowa State University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Spanish in 1968. He went on to earn a Master of Arts in Latin American Studies from the University of Minnesota in 1970.

Jim joined the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps while in college, continued through graduate school, and upon graduation entered active duty. He served as a navigator in the Air Force in the Vietnam War and earned the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was honorably discharged in 1975, having attained the rank of Captain.

Jim’s career in international sales at Fiat Allis in Illinois and Trackmobile in LaGrange led to his traveling to 70 countries, and in his lifetime he visited all 50 states. In LaGrange, Jim was an active member of the community for decades.

He served as a youth soccer coach; built sets for the LaGrange Ballet (now the Lafayette Ballet Company), including a legendary engineering feat of flying a sleigh onstage in the finale of The Nutcracker; contributed many hours of labor to Hillside Montessori; and participated in a local writers’ group.

Jim was known for his unflappable nature, boundless patience, great sense of humor, and generosity of spirit. He had an understated manner but was a brilliant storyteller and gave legendary toasts at special occasions. He had vast intellectual curiosity about subjects ranging from space exploration to quantum physics to history to architecture.

Jim is survived by his wife of 56 years, Terri (Westfall); children, Craig (Jana Drajpuch) and Meredith (Joseph Strauss); grandchildren, Hunter and Avery Codlin and Felicity Strauss; brother, Dennis (Jaquelin Pearson), and sister, Katie Codlin-Wilson. His brother Ken preceded him in death. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, a dear foreign exchange student (Heidi Colding Hansen) and numerous friends around the world.

A Celebration of Life followed by a reception will be held on March 22nd at 2 PM at Striffler Hamby Funeral Home with Rev. James Goodlet officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to Hillside Montessori, 1001 Hills and Dales Road, LaGrange, GA 30240.

Those wishing to share a condolence or remembrance with the family may do so by visiting www.shlagrange.com.