Paul Bodkin

Mr. Paul Michael (Mike) Bodkin, age 74, of Clifton Forge, died Friday, October 10, 2025, at Roanoke Memorial Hospital, Roanoke.
Mike was born, June 14, 1951 in Clifton Forge, VA. He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul Wright Bodkin and Mildred Hicks Bodkin and his younger brother, Steve Bodkin.
Mike is survived by his wife of 38 years, Elizabeth Tucker Bodkin. They were married on the Summit of Sharp Top Mountain, Peaks of Otter on the Blue Ridge Parkway in September, 1987 which required special permission by the U.S. Government to hold their wedding there. For years, they hiked to the Summit in celebration of their anniversary. This year they celebrated with a nice dinner at the local restaurant.
Mike is also survived by his step-daughter, Cherie Brown of Covington; his step-granddaughter, Autumn Vallandingham, her husband, Jacob, and step- great grandson, Harrison, all of Ohio. Also, a niece, Sherry Dawson, a great nephew, Myca Simmons and his hunting buddy and great niece, Jessah Levisay.
Mike was a graduate of Covington High School and the former Dabney S. Lancaster Community College. He served his country with the United States Air Force and was based at OSAN AFB, Korea for a year.
Mike served 28 years as coordinator for Hunters for the Hungry in the Covington area. Mike was an avid hunter and after reading about the feeding program in our local newspaper, he contacted David Horne and staff about serving this area. They agreed. In addition to his most recent duties of coordinating delivery dates and sites, he initially drove to the processing area in Amherst and transported the venison to the Salvation Army in Covington. In recent year, deliveries have been made to Covington where Mike would assist in distribution to the Salvation Army as well as food banks at some area churches. Mike's wish would be that the generous benefactors who have supported this feeding program will continue to do so.
Mike had always been an outdoor person. His employment with U.S. Forest Service was a perfect fit, whether he was trekking through the woods painting boundary lines and marking timber or busy at Lake Moomaw at Coles Point, where he was permanently assigned during the busy recreational season. He was responsible for conducting state-required water tests, fee collections and supervising employees in the League of Older Americans in their immaculate upkeep of the beach and surrounding areas. He was also responsible for upkeep and repair of the facilities of the campgrounds and reporting of needed major repairs. He also assisted the numerous campground hosts with their needs and made many new friends over the years.
Mike also maintained a close relationship with Smokey Bear who delighted the young campers on weekends. His wife, Elizabeth, a volunteer assistant often helped with handing out goodie bags and translating messages from Smokey since he never spoke.
His career with the U.S. Forest Service eventually ended after he was seriously injured in an on-the-job accident in 2011.
In accordance with his wishes, Mike has been cremated.
A memorial service will be conducted at 2:00 P.M. Friday, November 14, 2025, from the chapel of Loving Funeral Home with Rev. David Brown officiating..
The family will receive friends on Friday afternoon following the service.
Arrangements are being handled by Loving Funeral Home; to view Mr. Bodkin's memorial tribute page and to get service updates, please visit www.lovingfunralhome1913.com