Mr. James R. Cody

James Cody was born February 1, 1944, to Erastus and Willie B. Cody in Covington, Georgia. He was the second born of six children. James was resettled in Cleveland, Ohio, and a whole new world was opened to him and family. James was a proud graduate of Collinwood High School. He attended Junior College in California on a football scholarship where he received an Associate of Arts degree. James continued his football career at Kent State University where he earned two Master of Arts degrees and was three hours short of his Doctorate. He was also inducted into Kent State’s Hall of Fame, Applied Engineering, Sustainability and Technology. James began teaching and coaching track in the Cleveland Public School System in 1969. He was on the coaching staff of John Adams H.S. when the school won the State Championship for track and field in 1974. Meanwhile he also served as a park Ranger with the Cleveland Metroparks. Transitioning to East Cleveland Public Schools, James’ Television Production class produced a monthly program called, “Inside East Cleveland Schools,” which showcased the school system on an East Cleveland Cable Station. James retired from the East Cleveland School District in 1996 after a successful career teaching Television Production and Electronics at Shaw High School. All the while, James was very active in Politics. He was the first African-American elected to the office of Council in Bedford Heights, Ohio in 1983. James had a very successful career as a public servant. He was the African-American precinct committeeman, city councilman, and first African-American council president and member of the Charter Review Commission. James diligently promoted minority hiring, fair housing and the building of upscale housing in Bedford Heights. He even developed a Parliamentary Procedure Booklet for new Council members. James was passionately involved in the Homeowners of Metro Estate (H.O.M.E.), organized in 1974 to stop realtors from steering certain groups to certain areas of the city. He worked diligently with the organization to bring about positive changes to benefit everyone. On January 25, 2001, James was elected President of the Greater Cleveland Suburban Council consisting of 194 elected suburban officials in 45 suburban communities, and worked closely with other public officials. Working with a former employer, the Cleveland Metroparks, he established an animal preserve for the city. The former Mayer of Bedford Heights and County Commissioner, Jimmy Dimora, credited James Cody with many community successes and accomplishments; he was always committed and dedicated to city issues. James was baptized at an early age at Olivet Institutional Baptist Church, Cleveland, Ohio. His final church home was Affinity Missionary Baptist Church for 42 years. He shared his life with Brenda for 48 years in marriage, residing in Aurora, Ohio and San Antonio, Florida. They have one daughter, Dana Charlene Cody and one grandson, Daniel Harrison Sanders Cody. James enthusiastically enjoyed playing basketball, golfing, fishing, gardening, any household project, all sports and political discussions, also over 40 years of karate. He was a lifetime member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, a lifetime member of Christian Southern Leadership Conference, and NAACP. He had a black belt in Taekwondo Karate and made sure his grandson carried on that tradition with Bill Hannah’s Academy. He is survived by his devoted wife, daughter, grandson; his mother, Willie B. Cody; a sister, Ernestine Bryant; and a brother, Joseph McKinsley Cody. Proceeding him in death is a brother, Addison Jones Cody and a sister, Gladys Marie Cody. He also leaves to mourn a host of family and friends.

Mr. James R. Cody

February 1, 1944 - July 16, 2017