Willard Eugene “Gene” Dodson, 79, son of Bryan and Alice Elizabeth Edwards Dodson, was born Aug. 28, 1928, at Eunice. He died Oct. 24, 2007.
The Dodson family moved from the Eunice community to Raytown when he was 15. The children had attended the Friendship School near Raymondville.
Mr. Dodson entered the Army Nov. 15, 1950, and was honorably discharged in September 1952 with the rank of private second class.
He married Norma Jennings March 7, 1953. They had 10 children.
Mr. Dodson inspected airplanes for Westinghouse, worked in the ammunition department at Remington Arms, at Boeing Aircraft and Krane Carrier on engines and several years for The Lee Co., retiring at age 65.
He had fun playing softball and volleyball with his kids, traveling to all the states, watching the Nascar races and his favorite driver Jeff Gordon, music and entertaining friends and playing the harmonica. He loved the outdoors, farming and hunting squirrels and rabbits.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Dorothy Ijames and Imogene Dickenson; one brother, Lynus Dodson; and a daughter, Elizabeth Allison “Alley” Dodson.
Surviving are his wife; five sons, Wesley Dodson of Crocker, Charles Dodson of Lebanon, David Dodson of Iowa and Lyndon Dodson and Robert Dodson of Houston; four daughters, Patty Callaway of Sedalia, Beverly Ramsey and Brenda Akins of Houston and Loretta Franks of Cabool; one sister, Vera Edgar of Farmington; two brothers, Danny Dodson of California and Roy Dodson of Kansas; 27 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.
Services were Oct. 29 at Faith Fellowship with the Rev. Bill Villapiano officiating. Burial was in the Pine Lawn Cemetery under the direction of Evans Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to the Gene Dodson Memorial Fund in care of the funeral home.
