Clarence Edward Dodd

MAJ (R) Clarence E. Dodd "Jimmy,” 78, was the second of seven children born May 5th, 1943 to the late Sam and Irene Dodd, a coal miner and homemaker, in Teetersville, Kentucky. From the humblest of beginnings, he was considered adventurous, fun-loving, and friendly as a child. Often spending his days running a creek bed, chasing minnows, and playing sports, Jim would become a three-sport conference athlete in basketball, baseball, and his first love, football. He later would go on to earn a bachelor's degree in History with a concentration in Geography from the University of Omaha-Nebraska. Jimmy was blessed with a large and loving family. In the spring of 1964, Jimmy would meet the love of his life, Patsy following a mutual friend's introduction. After a three-month courtship, they married in Tennessee on July 3rd, 1964. No matter how challenging the times, their marriage would blossom into 57 years of love, commitment, honesty, and as an example for others to emulate. Whether he was aware as a young man or came to discover it later in life, Jimmy was destined to serve given his family's lineage of service, which humbly speaking, boasts a vast list of descendants who have served in nearly every American conflict since our independence. A collection of veterans whose bravery and honor are forever interwoven into the fabric of this great nation, composed of two Medal of Honor recipients and an endless list of other awards for heroism. In 1962 at 18, Jimmy would make his mark in the family's history book in Benham, Kentucky by enlisting as an infantryman and attending basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He was considered a man who never feared a challenge, rather he embraced it and often sought them out in a relentless pursuit of excellence. Jimmy was a graduate of the US Army Airborne School, Recondo School, Ranger School, Officer Candidate School, and the Special Forces Qualification Course. Serving in every leadership position from Team Leader to Commander, Jimmy would complete a long and distinguished career, both enlisted and commission. He deployed with the 101st Airborne Division in July of 1965 to Vietnam, and after a decorated deployment, Jimmy would be hand-selected to attend Officer Candidate School in Fort Riley, Kansas in 1970. Earning his undergraduate degree, he would serve as a commission officer in various positions and locations around the globe. Jimmy's reputation as a servant leader, dedicated Soldier, and educator would soon surface throughout the Louisville area towards the end of his military career in 1981. He was approached by a high school principal to plan, coordinate, and establish Southern High School's first Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) program on July 1st, 1982, which he would go on to lead for nearly 17 years as both the commander and an occasional substitute teacher. This accomplishment would be embedded into his legacy as the high school JROTC obstacles course would be named in his honor in 2018. Never wavering in his commitment to better his community and the Army, Jimmy would spend an additional three years leading the North Bullitt High School's JROTC before retiring in 2001. During this time, Jimmy maintained leadership roles as a Lay Leader at the Overdale United Methodist Church, Masonic Lodge (Scottish Rite), and Shriners Lodge. Jimmy is survived by his loving wife, Patrica "Pat" Dodd; his siblings John "Tate" Dodd (Shirley), Cleda Neff (Burt), Bobbie Jean Cain, Donnie Dodd (Mary), Ricky Dodd; his children Janice Groover, Rita Schnyder, Sandy Pearson (David), Robert Wagner, Patty Thixton (Bill); his eight grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren. He is preceded by both his mother and father, Samuel & Irene Dodd, his siblings Reba Dodd, Charles Samuel Dodd, and Wanda Dodd Olson. Service will be 12pm Friday, April 22, 2022 at Schoppenhorst Underwood and Brooks Funeral Home (North Preston Hwy and John Harper Hwy.) with visitation Thursday, 4pm till 8pm. Burial Wednesday, May 4, 2022, at Kentucky Veteran Cemetery Central. The family asks that in lieu of flowers that any donations or contributions be sent to the Overdale United Methodist Church at 515 Overdale Drive Louisville, Kentucky 40229.