MACOMB, Ill. - Western Illinois Athletics is saddened to hear of the passing of Leatherneck Hall of Famer Jim Lodico, who passed away Tuesday, June 29, 2021 at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House in Bettendorf, IA with family by his side.

Lodico was inducted into the WIU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1989 as a member of WIU's only undefeated and untied football team in 1959. 

Jim was born December 6, 1938 in Moline, the son of Joseph and Margaret Lodico. He married Carol Moody on August 26, 1961 in Moline. She preceded him in death on September 24, 2019.

In 1956, Jim played on Alleman's undefeated football team that was inducted into the 2003 Alleman High School Hall of Fame. He graduated from Alleman High school in 1957. He attended Western Illinois University and played football from 1959-1961. Jim graduated in 1961 with a teaching degree. He taught in Coal City, Rock Island, and United Township, East Moline, and coached several sports. In 1979, he went to Geneseo to become the Principal at North Side Elementary School.

While in Geneseo, Jim was a member of Illinois Principals Association from 1979-1994, National Association of Elementary School Principals from 1979-1994, President of Black Hawk Division of Illinois Principals Association from 1983-1984, and was member of Phi Delta Kappa, Quad City Chapter. He also served as a Board Member, Secretary, Vice-President, and President of the Exchange Club of East Moline-Silvis from 1973-1975. He was a member of the Geneseo Rotary International from 1979-1986, where he served as a Board Member, Vice-President, and President, and also made the Rotary Foundation Paul Harris Fellow in 1992. Jim served on the Western Illinois University Alumni Council from 1984-1990, and again from 1996-2002.

Jim most recently served on the Western Illinois University Foundation Executive Board from 2006-19, and was President from 2012-15. He also served on the Advisory Board of Western Illinois University - Quad Cities from 2005-21.

Jim was incredibly generous to WIU Athletics, and attended countless WIU games through the years. Jim was an avid golfer, and rarely missed the Leatherneck Club Golf Classic in Macomb.

Survivors include his two sons, Mike Lodico, Silvis, IL and Scott Lodico, Aurora, IL; grandsons, Drake Lodico and Zane Lodico and brothers, Joe Lodico, Rochelle, IL, Den Lodico, Boise, ID, Don Lodico, AZ and Dave Lodico, Phoenix, AZ.

Funeral services will be at 12 p.m. on Friday, July 2, 2021 at Rafferty Funeral Home, 2111 1st Street A, Moline, with visitation two hours prior to the service. A private burial will be at North Cemetery in Geneseo, Ill. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Western Illinois University or Alleman High School.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jim, please click here.