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, but instead entered Chapman Business College located at Sixth and Edmond. He found his true talent in banking.
Upon his death in May of 1955, it was discovered that he left his entire estate to the citizens of St. Joseph, to be used toward anything pertaining to recreation. The City of St. Joseph was awarded over three million dollars. Bode Ice Arena and Bode Sports Complex are two examples of his generosity.