James Louis Dodd

James (Jim) Louis Dodd, Sr. passed away on Thursday, June 12, 2025 at the South House of Glenaire Medical Center after a period of declining health. He was born in Clayton, NC on May 12, 1928, the son of the late James T. and Nettie Johnson Dodd. Jim graduated from Clayton High School and attended Louisburg College before enlisting in the US Air Force during the Korean War.

He married Willa Harrison in Raleigh in 1957. They initially lived in Garner before moving to Cary in 1959 where he lived for the remainder of his life. He had two children and was very active in their lives, including coaching their baseball and softball teams. For over 40 years, he was the Business Manager for O'Neal Motors in Raleigh until his retirement.

Jim enjoyed gardening, playing tennis, bridge and traveling. He was quick to share flowers and vegetables from his backyard greenhouse and garden. He loved music, always had a radio playing wherever he was and The Lawrence Welk show was a Saturday night staple. He never met a stranger and valued the friendships he made all through his life.

After retirement, Willa and he travelled frequently to their mountain house at Sugar Mountain or their beach house at Long Beach. Trips to the mountains usually included hikes to Grandfather Mountain. Trips to the beach would include fishing off the dock in the morning and enjoying the catch for dinner. He also enjoyed tremendously the time he was able to spend with his grandchildren Justin and Paige.

A man of faith, he was a member of Greenwood Forest Baptist Church of Cary and more recently First Baptist Church of Clayton.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Willa Dodd of Cary; his son, Jimmy (Jackie) of Hudson, MA; grandson, Justin Dodd of Holly Springs and a granddaughter, Paige Dodd of Cary; as well as one niece and two nephews. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his daughter, Rene Dodd; his brother, Alton Cephas Dodd and his sisters, Irene Dodd, Pauline Dodd Boyette and Ernestine Dodd O'Neal.

The family would like to express their sincere thanks to the entire staff at Glenaire and particularly the staff of South House for their compassionate care over the past years and especially during the recent months.

A funeral service celebrating Jim’s life will be held on Saturday, June 21, 2025 at 11:00am in the chapel of McLaurin Funeral Home, the interment will follow the service at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Clayton. The family will receive friends following the committal service.