James E. Dodson, Sr. was born May 20,1921 and passed away Aug. 25, 2015. He is survived by his wife, Emma Dodson, daughter and son-in-law, Teri and Jim Evans and son and daughter-in-law, Jim, Jr., and Deborah Dodson. At 94, Jim Sr., said goodbye to his grandchildren, Chris Evans and wife Cathy , Karyllan who married Joseph Mack, Brad Dodson and wife, Jill, and Kurt Dodson with wife, Sara. He also had five great-grandchildren: Ellyse and Patrick Mack, Ben and Evan Dodson and Kayla Evans. His surviving first cousins are Sondra (Bert) Nelson and Donna Dimos. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fletcher and Rosa Stantz Dodson, and his sisters Mary Modesitt and Helen Whelchel. Jim and Emma Dodson celebrated their 71st Wedding Anniversary, June 6th, 2015. Until his death, he was a member of Maple Avenue United Methodist Church, where they were married in 1944. Both graduated from Garfield High School. Jim was a WWII veteran serving as a pilot with the United States Marine Corps Bombing Squadron, VMB 433, which flew over the Solomon Islands and the Philippines. In 2014 he was awarded the Marine Corps League Medal for having completed twenty continuous years as a Detachment Member. In addition he was 33rd Degree Mason, being a member in good standing of the Scottish Rite for 65 years. He was also a life-long member of the Terre Haute Elks Lodge, No. 86 and belonged to the Riley American Legion Post 328. Terre Haute was always their home. Jim was most remembered for his work with Vigo White Motor's truck sales, serving as Vice-President and General Manager. He was an avid supporter of ISU basketball, a golfer and bowler on the Elk's league. He will be remembered for his integrity, devotion to family, sense of humor and love of the outdoors, raising and training many hunting dogs. He loved family get-togethers, fishing on his lake and could "out mushroom" any of us in the family. Funeral services will be conducted at 3:00 P.M. Saturday, August 29, 2015 in Callahan & Hughes Funeral Home, 605 South 25th Street, with Reverend David Rockhill officiating. Burial will be in Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation is scheduled for Friday, August 28th from 4:00-7:00 P.M. and also prior to services on Saturday from 2:00-3:00 P.M. in the funeral home. The family kindly requests that any memorial contributions may be made to Maple Avenue United Methodist Church, 1203 Maple Avenue, Terre Haute, IN 47804. Funeral information may also be found at www.callahanandhughes.com .
