Donald Daniel Dodd, born in Reydon, Oklahoma January 25, 1930, passed through this life November 18, 2017 in Amarillo, Texas at the Ussery-Roan Texas State Veterans Home. Affectionately known as “Donnie” he was the 8th child of George and Bertha Dodd.
On February 4, 1951, Donnie married Ruth Jean Estes, eloping to Fort Smith, Arkansas. On February 21st he was called to service and immediately after basic training was deployed to Korea in the 5th Army Artillery.
Donnie was a member of the Ready Reserve of the United States Army and received his training at the Artillery Center at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He served in the U.S. Army from February 1951 until his Honorable Discharge as a Staff Sergeant in November 1952. Sergeant Dodd of the 5th Field Artillery Group, “C” Battery, survived the Battle of Pork Chop Hill and the Battle of Heartbreak Ridge. He was awarded the Korean Service Medal, the UN Service Medal, and two Bronze Stars for his service.
On August 24, 1955 Donnie completed his education and technical training at Oklahoma City University and for the next 35 years worked as a Certified Auto Body and Paint Technician. He enjoyed gardening and carpentry and took particular pride in building his own home, including an auto shop building, on their property in Edmond, Oklahoma. Donnie and Ruth Jean moved to Amarillo, Texas in 2000.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George Dodd, Sr. and Bertha, 2 brothers, George “Buggs” Dodd, Jr., William “Dick” Dodd, and 5 sisters Alta Abbott, Alma “Peggy” Graham, Ruth Cather, Hazel Crume and Orabelle Kennedy. He is survived by Ruth Jean, his wife for 66 years, 3 children, Allen Dodd and wife Teresa of St. Petersburg, Florida, Danny Dodd and wife Alida of Bedford, New Hampshire, and Ladonna Troutman and husband Mark of Amarillo, Texas, 5 grandchildren, Annaka Dodd, Alyssa Dodd, Grant Dodd, Mason Troutman and Christy Troutman, 6 step-grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, 3 step great grandchildren and many loving nieces and nephews.
The family is extremely grateful for the competent and empathetic care Donnie received from the staff of Ussery-Roan, Texas State Veterans Home with a special thanks extended to the nurses and aids that provided his daily care.
A celebration for Donnie's life will be held at Resthaven Memory Garden's Cemetery Chapel on Saturday, November 25, 2017 at 11am with a burial to follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Ussery-Roan Texas State Veterans Home, 1020 Tascosa Rd, Amarillo, Texas 79124 or to Arden Road Baptist Church, 6701 Arden Rd, Amarillo, Texas 79109.
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