Virgil "Pete" Le Roy Dodson

Virgil L. (Pete) Dodson passed away peacefully on September 25, 2025. Pete was born to Willie and Esther Dodson on October 21, 1944, in Jefferson, Iowa. His early years were spent on a farm in Bayard, Iowa. Before his sixth-grade year the family moved to a farm in Yale, Iowa. Yale school system merged with Jamaica and Bagley school districts becoming YJB. Pete was happy about the merger as he could now play football. Pete graduated in 1962.

Following graduation, Pete attended business school in Omaha majoring in accounting. After two months of school, he decided that wasn’t for him, and he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. While in the Air Force, he was stationed most of the time in Libya. In 1966 he was honorably discharged.

Upon returning home, he began working as a yardman at Sutherland Lumber. While there one of his co-workers and his girlfriend introduced him to the girl he would soon marry—Sandie Winship from Osceola. Pete and Sandie were married in December 1967. They were blessed with one son—Brian (aka Chris).

In 1972 Pete joined the U.S. Postal Service and retired from there. For many years he was a mail carrier in Beaverdale. He enjoyed the people on his route. Often when it was hot someone would meet him with a cold drink or a hot drink when it was bitter cold. The last few years he carried mail in the business district of downtown Des Moines. While at the Post Office, Pete met a fellow U.S. Air Force veteran who was also in the Air National Guard. Pete joined the Air National Guard and retired from there as well. Following retirement from the Post Office and the National Guard, Pete worked for 15 years at Lithia (previously Jordon Motors) maintaining their parts inventory.

Pete and Sandie square danced for several years where they made many lifelong friends. For a few years Pete was on a golf team with fellow postal workers. Shooting clays was his favorite sport and he did quite well. He was state champion for his class one year and was invited to shoot in the nationals which he chose not to do.

Pete and his wife enjoyed traveling. When Pete was in the Air National Guard, one TDY was in England. Sandie joined him for a long weekend which they spent touring Scotland and England. Twenty plus years were spent vacationing with close friends, making many memories and visiting US locations from coast to coast. For their 50th anniversary, Sandie and Pete spent 16 days touring Alaska by land and by sea.

Pete enjoyed lodge work. He was an active member of the Masons and the Scottish Rite for several years. In recent years he joined the Odd Fellows and was an active member in his Odd Fellow Lodges, Rebekah Lodges, Encampment and Department Council. He served as Grand Master, Grand Lodge of Iowa 2021-2022; Grand Patriarch, Grand Encampment of Iowa 2023-2024; and Department Commander, Department Council of Iowa Patriarchs Militant 2022-2024.

Pete is survived by his wife Sandie and son Brian (aka Chris) of West Des Moines; sister Karen Larsen of State Center; sister-in-law Karen Shields of Mason City, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Paul and Linda Winship of Osceola, and many nieces and nephews.

Predeceasing him in death were his parents Willie and Esther Dodson; brother Bill Dodson, brother and wife Howard and Karen Myers; sister and husband Marilyn and Tim Trees; sister Donna Reed; brothers Larry and Bob Myers; and brother-in-law Jeff Larsen.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Animal Resue League of Iowa or Hospice of Central Iowa in loving memory of Pete.

A visitation for Virgil "Pete" will be held Thursday, October 2, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at McLaren's Resthaven Chapel & Mortuary, 801 19th Street, West Des Moines, IA 50265. A funeral service will occur Friday, October 3, 2025 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at Lutheran Church of Hope Grimes, 1335 NE Beaverbrooke Blvd, Grimes, IA 50111. A reception will occur Friday, October 3, 2025 from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM at Lutheran Church of Hope Grimes, 1335 NE Beaverbrooke Blvd, Grimes, IA 50111. A graveside service will occur Friday, October 3, 2025 from 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM, 801 19th Street, West Des Moines, IA 50265.