Wilburn Dodson

78

Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, July 3, 2014 at Griggs Schooler Gordon Funeral Home Pioneer Chapel, with Pastor Nate Magloughlin officiating.

Burial is in Llano Cemetery in Amarillo by Griggs Schooler Gordon Funeral Directors

Wilburn was born October 9, 1935 in Amarillo to Cecil and Ruth Dodson.

Wilburn’s family moved many times during his youth until one day he told his father if he moved them again he wasn’t going with them, and he didn’t. So Wilburn left home and began building is own life at the age of fifteen.

He attended Amarillo High school but didn’t graduate leaving school just one credit short. On his last day at school, the principle told him he would never amount to anything and would eventually end up in jail.

He joined the Army in 1953 during the Korean War and was stationed in Japan where he cultivated a distaste for any kind of Asian food that was rivaled only by his distaste for tuna casserole. After returning home he refused to eat either for the rest of his life.

He married Rae Long in 1957. He attended West Texas State College, going to school during the day and working at night. He graduated in 1963.

After graduation, he began working as a clerk in the Amarillo City Corporation Court until he was hired as the President of the Amarillo City Federal Credit Union where he worked for the next 32 years.

He became a respected leader in the Credit Union movement and served many years on the Texas Credit Union League board of directors. In 1969, he brought the league convention to Amarillo, marking the first time in history that the convention was held anywhere outside of Dallas, Austin, San Antonio or Houston.

He lived his life for his family and it is estimated that he attend thousands football games, baseball games, volleyball games, and other activities in which his children and grandchildren were involved. If his kids were there, he was there.

Before he retired, he also received an apology from a certain high school principal, which he enjoyed very much.

Upon his retirement, Wilburn enjoyed playing golf, fishing and restoring old cars.

He was loved by many and had no enemies, although the case could be made that George Allen and the Washington Redskins would probably qualify.

Wilburn was preceded in death by his parents; and 3 brothers, Darrell, Bobby and Billy Dodson.

Wilburn is survived by his wife, Rae; a son, Doug Dodson of Dallas; 3 daughters, Teresa Hodge and husband Greg of Amarillo, Karla Winn of Amarillo and Robbie Dodson and husband Manny of Austin; a brother, Jimmy Douglas Dodson of Albuquerque, NM.; and 3 grandsons, Cody, Derek and Lukas.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be made to the Epilepsy Foundation

Visitation will be from 6-8 pm Wednesday at the funeral home.