Arlan R. Jodrey

BETHEL – Arlan R. Jodrey passed peacefully at home surrounded by loving family on Wednesday, April 26, 2023. He was born on March 14, 1936, at home in Bethel to Walter and Norma Jodrey, during the big flood of ’36. At that time Bethel was an island, due to the heavy rains, with no way to get out of town.

In his early years, he attended Bethel schools and graduated from Gould Academy in 1954. He joined the Army Reserves from 1958-1964 and was employed by the Portland Pipeline from 1953 until his retirement. With a drive for hard work, he had a side business maintaining and sharpening lawnmowers and skates. Most notably the mowers for the Bethel Inn Golf course. With this extra income was able to save enough money to buy an engagement ring for the love of his life, Eleanor Lord, whom he married on Sept. 9, 1962.

In his spare time, Arlan was a Selectman for the town of Bethel for 19 years, a member of the Budget Committee, Planning Board, and worked as an Assessor. He served on the Advisory Committee, then the Executive Committee of the Maine Municipal Association from 1988-1991.

For many years Arlan served on the Androscoggin Valley Council of Government’s Transportation Committee and was a volunteer fireman for Bethel for over 30 years. He had worked with every Town Manager of Bethel since 1954. In 1990, he was awarded the Henry Hastings Citizenship Award. Arlan went on to serve four terms in the Maine State Legislature from 1998-2006 and was very proud to be a part of the Transportation Committee. During this time, the Penobscot Narrows Bridge in Prospect, Maine was designed and constructed.

He was a member of the Bethel Historical Society and a member of the Bethel Airport Authority, for which he received an award in 2022 for devoting 30 years. Additionally, Arlan was a Director and Trustee of the Eastern States Exposition (Big E) in West Springfield, Mass. He served many years with the Oxford County Soil and Water Conservation District.

He was President and then Vice President of the Riverside Cemetery Association from 2008 until 2019.

He was a part of the Veteran’s Honor Roll Park committee from 2011 until its completion in 2022. Arlan’s life work and commitments were recognized in 2022 when he received the Spirit of America Award.

Apart from his time spent dedicated to the state of Maine, his favorite pastime was working in the forest in his Tree Farms. This included growing more than a thousand Christmas trees to help supplement his grandchildren’s college education. Many cups of hot chocolate were consumed around a campfire while waiting for customers to arrive and pick out their favorite tree. He and his wife, Ellie, were awarded Maine Tree Farmer of the Year and received a Northeast Regional Tree Farmer award for 12 states in 2002. He took a great deal of pride in his woodlots and wanted to share the land for recreation and public use.

He worked tirelessly with Gould Academy to develop an extensive trail system for hiking, running, biking, skiing, and snowmobiling. In addition to time spent in the woods, every summer he could be found haying in his fields. Hundreds of memories were made, and strong work ethics were built in those fields by family and friends. Some of the “crew” had worked with him throwing bales for over 50 years.

Other hobbies included collecting and restoring old tractors and most notably restoring a ’64 Ford Mustang.

He leaves behind his wife of 61 years, Ellie; his daughter, Becky Jodrey Swan and her husband, Ross; his son, Michael Arlan Jodrey, and his girlfriend, Joelle. He also leaves four grandchildren, Danny Koris and wife, Emily; Austin Jodrey and wife, Alessandra; Corey Swan and fiancé, Taylor; and Ashley Swan. One great-grandson, Eliot Rand Swan.

He was predeceased by a special daughter-in-law, Celina Couture Jodrey; sister, Barbara Jodrey, and her husband Carl Merrill; and his brother, Melvin Jodrey who died at age 19.

Dad maintained his humor, kindness, and dignity till the end.

Funeral services will be held on May 14, at 2 p.m., at the Bethel Alliance Church. Arrangements by Cliff Gray Cremation & Funeral Services, 60 Andrews Road, Bryant Pond.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating

to the Bethel Rescue Service

PO Box 1660,

Bethel, ME

or Androscoggin Home Health and Hospice

15 Strawberry Ave.

Lewiston, ME