Richard Carlton Dodson known affectionately by his poker buddies as “Yoda” passed away in comfort surrounded by his son Daniel L. Dodson and daughter D’Anne Dodson Martin at University Medical Center in Lubbock, Texas Wednesday, January 30, 2019 at the age of 84.
Richard was born to Estell and Anna Dodson May 31, 1934 in the home where he was raised in Mangum, Oklahoma.
Richard graduated as salutatorian from Mangum High School in 1952. He served in the Navy aboard the USS Oriskany July 1953-1957. He returned to attend college at Southwestern Oklahoma State College in Weatherford, Oklahoma in 1957 where he met his wife Jerry Lee Cooper. They were married in 1960 and enjoyed 34 wonderful years of marriage.
He graduated with a B.S degree in mathematics and minors in physics and chemistry from Central State College in Edmond, Oklahoma. Richard went on to work for the government at Tinker Air Force Base for 30 years as a mathematician and computer programmer.
His interests included hunting, fishing, music (especially jazz), dancing, refereeing soccer and he liked to travel.
Richard is preceded in death by his parents, wife Jerry Lee Dodson, brother Melvin Dodson and sister Frances Laverne Dodson Manning.
He is survived by his two children Daniel Lee Dodson (Andrea) and D’Anne Dodson Martin (Tony), four grandchildren Kyle Richard Dodson, Eric Bruce Dodson, Chandler Victoria Martin and Quinn Connor Martin. He is also survived by his second wife Rainey Dodson.
Visitation with the family present will be held Monday, February 4, 2019 between the hours of 5pm and 8pm at Bill Merritt Funeral Service 6201 N. W. 39th Expressway, Bethany, Oklahoma.
Graveside services will be Tuesday, February 5, 2019 at Sunset Memorial Gardens 2301 E. Indian Hills Road in Norman, Oklahoma at 2 pm.
