George Bode Jr. was born in St. Joseph, Missouri in 1868. He attended school at the old German English School located at 10th and Felix Street where he graduated from the eighth grade. He did not attend high school, instead he entered Chapman business college located at 6th and Edmond. He found his true talent in banking. He left St. Joseph in 1920 and moved to St. Louis, Missouri where he furthered his banking career. Upon his death in May of 1955, it was discovered that George Bode Jr. left his entire estate to the citizens of St. Joseph, Missouri to be used towards anything pertaining to recreation. After litigation between his family, the City of St. Joseph was awarded over three million dollars. Bode Ice Arena and Bode Sports Complex are two examples of his generosity.
The Bode Sports Complex is a new addition to the Parks and Recreation Department. Opened in June of 1999, the complex has several outdoor activities designed for youth and family involvement. With the help of grants from the George Bode Jr. trust and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources , the complex is attached to Bode Ice Arena at the west end of the building. The complex features a six court outdoor lighted basketball complex with color coded benches, seating, scoreboards and pro-style glass backboards with colored pads. A lighted in-line skating rink compliments this complex complete with a scoreboard. The Skate Park was a new addition to the complex in 2002. The park is located on the north side of Bode Ice Arena. The Skate Park has numerous grinding rails as well as a half-pipe and ramps. The complex is opened year round weather permitting. There is a dollar admission fee to use the complex. For information regarding the complex please call (816) 271-5506.
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