David Jodrey

David Brownell Jodrey, 96, a retired Army Colonel and former mayor of Belleair Beach, Florida, died Monday in Washington, DC. Colonel Jodrey was a resident of Washington D. C. and formerly of Colonial Heights from 1962 to 1966. Born in Northport, Nova Scotia, Canada, Col. Jodrey immigrated to the United States at age 16 in 1929, eventually becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen. After attending Boston University, Col Jodrey began his career in the Army by serving in Army Air Corps during World War II. He was later invited back to active duty and graduated from the Army Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. During his distinguished Army career, he served overseas in Japan, Korea, Panama and Italy. In 1967 he retired with the rank of full Colonel. He received the Legion of Merit and numerous other awards and decorations. Subsequent to his Army career, Colonel Jodrey moved with his wife, Helen Foster Jodrey and family to Belleair Beach, Florida where he served on the city council and mayor for over a decade, helping to guide the growth and development of this beach-front community. He also served as a treasurer and board member for the United Church of Christ Church of the Isles in Indian Rocks Beach, FL. Col. Jodrey is survived by his wife, Odette Browning Jodrey of Washington, DC; three sons and daughters-in-law, David Jr. and Patty of Gaithersburg, MD; Robert and Amy of San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Don and Darrel of Bethesda, MD; a step-daughter, Joan Browning, of Hamburg, Germany; three sisters, Laura Barkhouse, Florence Hazel and Marion Cameron, all in Nova Scotia; and five grandchildren, Jamie, Helen, Robert, Nora and Liam. A graveside service will be held Friday, October 9, 2009 at 12 noon in Southlawn Memorial Park, Prince George. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 4240 Park Place Court, Glen Allen, VA 23060. The Colonial Heights Chapel of the E. Alvin Small Funeral Home and Crematory are handling arrangements.