Born in Binghamton, NY, on March 25, 1935, he passed away on October 29, 2020. After graduating high school, he attended Hamilton College in Clinton, NY, and graduated with a degree in Philosophy. He went right into the Army and served for three years and was stationed in Germany. After his military service, he returned to college and got his Master’s Degree in Mass Communications from Boston University.
He took a job with the U. S. Information Agency and served in Ethiopia and Zambia. Later he moved to Kenya and continued training and working with local journalists.
Returning to the U. S., John joined the Voice of America and returned to Africa as a foreign correspondent. He spent nine years working in Africa. When he returned to the United States, he worked as a senior editor for VOA covering the White House, Congress, the Supreme Court, and the Pentagon until his retirement. In retirement, he enjoyed many years sharing his beach homes with family and friends, first in Emerald Isle, NC, and then in Rehoboth Beach, DE.
His interests were many, including sailing on both the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay; but his great love was magic. He was a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians and was President of Ring 50 from 1992-93. He contributed nine “Parades” to the Linking Ring, which is published internationally. He made friends all over the U. S. and in other parts of the world. He will be missed by all of his friends.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara; his stepsons Michael Hodes (Kimberly) and Tim Hodes (Morena); and his two grandsons, Joshua and Lucas.
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