John Eugene Dodd, celebrator of LIFE, & an enthusiast for the Gospel of Christ, transitioned into his Eternal Inheritance on January 7, 2021. John means the GRACE of GOD, so was named fittingly. Aged 98 and born March 9, 1922, the middle child of 9 (Tom Jr. Steve, Adelaide McDade, Bill, Harold, Joe, Paul, Truett) and the last surviving child of Thomas H. Dodd Sr. & Bessie Ann Fulford Dodd of Semmes, Alabama, USA. Norma T. Dodd, his beloved wife, preceded John's departure in November 2011 after their 66th wedding anniversary.
John felt the calling to the ministry as a young man. Attended Howard College (Samford University) but was interrupted when joining the Army. He remained an OCS (Officer Candidate School) Army Officer during WWII, in the 3rd Army of the European front. He came back from Europe in 1944, as a Sergeant, finished Howard College, attended OCS, and graduated a 2nd Lieutenant, met Norma, who was a 1st Lieutenant Army Nurse and got married, attended Southwestern Baptist Seminary, went to Chaplin’s School, by 1950 he went to Korea as a Captain. After the war he joined the California National Guard in the sixties, followed by the Army Reserves in Alabama until retirement as a Lieutenant Colonel. He remained a true Patriot through his retirement.
John & Norma also pastored various Baptist churches in California, Alabama, as well as Oklahoma & New Mexico during the fifties & sixties. They felt the call to the Mission Field in West Africa. thus served as short-term missionaries in Liberia, West Africa from 1972-1974. They sowed their latter years (1990's) pioneering ministries of the Gospel in Kenya, East Africa and building educational facilities for Christian Evangelization in Ethiopia, Somalia & Tanzania. and other African Nations.
He will be missed by his surviving 4 children and spouses: Anne (the late Charles) Maples, Charles (Laura) Dodd, Martha (Kenneth) Aycock and Joyce Dodd(the late Scott) MacDonald as well as his 7 grandchildren: Lorrie Parker, Lynette McCall, April Helton, Wesley Dodd, Jackson Dodd, Andrea Patterson & Lisa Hall, their spouses, and 12 Super Great Grandchildren as well as many beloved friends.
His sense of humor: witty, yet wacky.
His delight: singing to his Lord; whether on key, or not.
For years we quoted his declaration:
"I'm gonna live to be 100."
Well, dad, you came so close; we're so proud of you and are so BLESSED to be you and mom's children.
I've heard "The Best gift a father can give his children is their introduction to Christ," for which we are Eternally grateful.
I hear him singing even now: "Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and all that is within me, Bless His Holy name."
For truly HE has done GREAT things!!!
A Celebratory Homegoing Memorial will be held at Valhalla Gardens in Eight Mile, Alabama January 16, 2021.
Immediate Family: 10:00 to 11:00;
Family & friends: 11:00 to 12:00;
Memorial Celebration 12:00.
Military Honors following @ Valhalla Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to:
IGO P.O. BOX 1008 Semmes AL 36575.