Honoring the Life and Legacy of J.W. Bode

At INTEGRIS Health, we are deeply mourning the loss of our colleague and friend, James “J.W.” Bode. J.W. was a beloved member of our public safety team at INTEGRIS Health Enid Hospital. A man of great strength, humor, and compassion, his presence was felt the moment he entered a room. His passing is a profound loss for our caregivers, our community and all who knew him.

A Life of Service and Joy

J.W. never met a stranger. With his easy smile and quick wit, he had a gift for making others laugh — whether it was through a corny joke, a tall tale, or his playful alter ego, “Captain Care Bear.” He believed in spreading joy as much as in protecting others, and that balance of humor and strength defined his life.

His family was his greatest pride and joy. He loved nothing more than telling stories to his children and spoiling his grandchildren. He poured the same protective spirit into his community, living each day with a sense of duty to look after others.

For more than two decades, J.W. served as a probation and parole officer. He was also a CLEET-certified firearms instructor and a dedicated teacher of self-defense. Through his work, he gave others the skills and confidence to protect themselves and their families. He was not only a protector, but also an empowerer. He believed that safety, strength, and resilience belonged to everyone.

And then there were the small moments, the simple gestures that captured his heart. J.W. was known for carrying a pocketful of quarters, slipping them into the hands of children he met at church, at the hospital or out in the community. It wasn’t about the coin itself. It was about making a child smile, helping them feel seen and valued. To this day, those quarters remain a symbol of his generosity and the joy he so freely gave.

Carrying His Legacy Forward

Though we grieve the loss of our friend, the values he lived by — compassion, protection, humor, and care for others — continue to inspire us. To honor his life and ensure that his legacy endures, the INTEGRIS Health Foundation has partnered with J.W.’s family to create opportunities for giving in his memory.

Your contributions will support three areas that reflect both the needs of our community and the spirit of J.W.’s life:

• The Greatest Need at INTEGRIS Health Enid Hospital
  Supporting caregivers and patients with critical resources so that the hospital can respond to urgent and evolving needs.

• Adolescent Mental Health Care at INTEGRIS Health Meadowlake in Enid
  Expanding care and support for young people facing mental health challenges, providing them with tools to grow, heal, and thrive.

• Patient Assistance at INTEGRIS Health Enid Hospital
  Helping patients who cannot afford care receive the treatment they need, ensuring that financial hardship never stands in the way of health.

Each gift is a step forward in transforming loss into hope, grief into growth, and hardship into opportunity. Together, we can ensure that J.W.’s protective, joyful, and generous spirit continues to touch lives for years to come.

A Legacy of Love

In his life, J.W. showed us that kindness and strength go hand in hand. He reminded us that humor can lift heavy hearts, that generosity can change lives, and that one person’s presence can make an entire community feel safer.

The memory of “Captain Care Bear” lives on in the laughter of children, in the safety of families, and now — through your donation — in the lives of patients and young people who will be given the chance to thrive.

We invite you to join us in honoring J.W. by carrying forward the love, laughter, and protection he gave so freely.