August 5, 1955 – January 21, 2026
M. Allen Dodson was born on August 5, 1944, to Emmett and Morine Smith Dodson, the third of their five children. He was raised in DeRidder, Louisiana. On October 1, 1966, Allen married Jane Sommerfeld in Aleman, Texas, and together they welcomed their only daughter, Gena, on December 5, 1969. Allen passed away on January 21, 2026 at the age 81.
After Allen and Jane moved to Hamilton in 1978, he became a devoted supporter of the Hamilton Bulldogs. As the owner of Luker Studio, Allen was well known for taking school pictures and cheering on the Bulldogs at sporting events. Most recently, he proudly cheered the Bulldogs on as they celebrated the 2025 State Football Championship. Allen never met a stranger and loved talking to everyone he met. He also enjoyed playing cards with family and friends, listening to music on his jukebox, working in his garden, spending time with his dogs, and visiting his brothers whenever he could.
Allen is survived by his wife of 59 years, Jane Dodson; his daughter and son-in-law, Gena and Robert Dixon of Monahans, Texas; his granddaughters and their husbands, Caroline and Daulton Griffin of Midland, Texas, Madelyn and Sean Thane of Edmond, Oklahoma; and his great-grandson, Davis Griffin. He is also survived by his brothers, Larry Dodson and Sonny Dodson; his sisters, Lufonda Smith and Edna Mastin; his nephew, Brandon Sommerfeld; his niece, Megan Cunningham and her husband, Andrew, along with their children, Kathryn and Peyton Cunningham, as well as many other beloved nieces and nephews.
Memorial Service will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church on January 31st at 11 am.
