Notes for: Thomas Alvin Bodine, Jr.
From Ronny Bodine:
The wedding of Thomas Bodine and Marguerite Pierce was reported in the Amarillo "Globe" of 2 July 1944.
"T. A. Bodine Returns to Quiet Life, " the Amarillo "Globe" of 14 Sept 1945.
Thomas A. Bodine, Jr., chief boatswain's mate, has received his discharge at the U. S. Naval Repair Base at New Orleans. He enlisted 10 days after war was declared on Japan. Aboard the USS Libra, an attack cargo ship, Bodine participated in actions in the third battle of Savo Island, the lnvaslon of Rendova and the invasion of Bougainville. "I received a meritorious mast for the action at Rendova," said Bodine. The USS McCauley was badly damaged by enemy action and we tried to take her in tow. Her rudder was jammed hard over and she wouldn't tow, so we had to fix her rudder for her while lying still In an exposed position. I worked hard and fast, as did my shipmates, and we got her out all right." Aboard the USS Barrow, an attack transport, Bodine later saw action at Iwo Jima and Okinawa. "We made two fake landings at Okinawa just to draw the Japs away from the real landings," said the Chief. "We pulled into two places along the south Coast of the island and put our troops ashore, only to reembark them at night and move on to another spot. Then we came around to the coast where the real landings were taking place and added our forces to the rest of the fleet." Before enlisting Bodine was employed on the Panhandle and Santa Fe Railroad. He plans now to go back to his old job. "He is the husband of Mrs. Margaret Bodine, of 1219 North Taylor, Amarillo.
Obituary, Amarillo Globe-News (Amarillo, Texas) of 24 March 1999.
Marguerite E. Bodine, 78, of Amarillo, died Saturday, March 20, 1999. Services will be at 3 p.m. today in Memorial Park Funeral Home, Chapel of Memories, 6969 E. Interstate 40, with Dr. David Evans officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Mrs. Bodine was born in Lubbock and had lived in Amarillo most of her life. She had worked at Louise's Dress Shop, Eva's Fashions and the Strawberry Patch. She was a member of the Ladies' Auxiliary of United Transportation, where she was on the drill team. She married Thomas Bodine in 1944 in Amarillo. Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Tomasine Bryant of Amarillo and Debbie Bodine of Houston; and a grandson. The family suggests memorials be to Crown of Texas Hospice or the Trinity Baptist Church Building Fund.
Obituary, Amarillo Globe-News (Amarillo, Texas), Dec. 25, 2011
Thomas A. Bodine, 95, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2011, in Amarillo. Services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday in Trinity Baptist Church with Pastor Nate Magloughlin officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Arrangements are by Cox Funeral Home, 4180 Canyon Drive. Thomas Alvin Bodine was born April 9, 1916, in McLean to Thomas A. Bodine Sr. and Willie Pearl Bodine. After graduating from Tucumcari High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served on the USS Holland and the submarine USS Dolphin until 1938. Tom reenlisted in the Navy in 1941 after the attack on Pearl Harbor. In WWII, Tom served in the Navy as Chief Boatswains Mate on the USS Libra and Barrow in the Battle for the Pacific and was involved in supplying Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima. While the USS Libra was on a short 30-day return to base in San Francisco, Tom caught the train to Amarillo to marry the love of his life, Marguerite Emily Pierce of Amarillo, on June 27, 1944. After a short honeymoon in Dodge City, Tom went back to the Pacific until the end of War. Tom then returned home to work for the Santa Fe Railroad, where he was promoted to conductor and retired in 1981 after 40 years of service. Tom was a member of Trinity Baptist Church in Amarillo, where he actively served as a deacon for many years. He also served as the chairman for the local Order Of Railway Conductors and Brakemen. He was a member of the United Transportation Union and the U.S. Submarine Veterans Inc.-Triton Base-Holland Club. Tom enjoyed spending time with family and friends and being involved in various church functions and activities. He also loved the sport of baseball. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marguerite who he devoted his life to; his parents; and two sisters, Laverne Campbell and Gail Hale. Survivors include his two daughters, Tomasine J. Bryant of Amarillo and Debbie Bodine of Houston; a grandson, Tony C. Bryant and wife Megan of Windsor, Colo.; and a great-grandson, Aidanl of Windsor, Colo. His family expresses gratitude to Glynn Roland and Teresa Lawler and the staff at The Clairmont for the love and care they gave him for many years. The family suggests memorials be to Trinity Baptist Church, 1601 W. Interstate 40, Amarillo, TX 79109. Sign the online guest book at www.coxfuneralhomeamarillo.com.
From Texas Death Records:
Marguerite Bodine died 20 March 1999 in Potter County.
Thomas Alvin Bodine Jr. died 22 Dec 2011 in Randall County. [Note: Amarillo is both in Potter and Randall County.
Burials in Memorial Park Cemetery, Amarillo, Potter County, Texas.
(For grave marker photo see Find A Grave memorial No. 79600106)
BODINE Marguerite E. 1921---1999 Thomas A. Jr. 1916---[no date]