Sharon A. Dodrer

Sharon A Dodrer, 84, passed away on August 24, 2026. Born July 22, 1942, in Red Oak, Iowa, Sharon’s life was marked by steady devotion to family, a strong work ethic, and a spirit that welcomed new places and new seasons with quiet courage.

Sharon began school at Jefferson Elementary School in Red Oak, Iowa, starting at age five in 1947 and continuing through the 5th grade. During the construction of a new Jefferson school, she spent a year at Lincoln Elementary, then returned to Jefferson for the final six weeks. Her family later moved to Marceline, Missouri, where she attended Park School, before she returned to Red Oak, Iowa after the death of her grandmother. Sharon attended high school in Red Oak until she married her first husband, Gerald (Jerry) Hickman.

A dedicated and hard-working woman, Sharon worked at Diamond Shamrock Valero for over 20 years. She also devoted herself to the care of animals, especially dogs—raising Poodles and taking pride in being a lifetime member of the AKC Kennell Club. Sharon was a registered animal technician, a role that reflected both her diligence and the steady compassion she brought to the lives in her care.

Sharon’s life included chapters shaped by travel and change. She moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming with her friend Judy in 1960, and there she met and married her second husband, Howard Oliver Dodrer Jr. Howard’s Air Force service soon took them in many directions: he was sent to Goose Bay only three months after their marriage, and Sharon’s first plane ride was to visit him in 1961. He returned in February 1962, and they moved back to Cheyenne, Wyoming. Two years later they moved to Bitburg, Germany. Three years later they were sent to Mt. Home, Idaho. Two years later they were in Bangkok, Thailand for a year and then on to Clark AFB in the Philippines, made their way to San Antonio, Texas in 1972, then went to Lakenheath, England from 1978-1981 and permanently returning to San Antonio in 1981. Through each move, Sharon met life with resilience, devotion, and a sense of humor that helped carry her—and those around her—through the demands of constant transition.

In her personal life, Sharon found joy in the everyday comforts that make a house a home. She loved gardening when she was younger and kept her favorite plant, the African Violet, in her home. She enjoyed sitting on her front porch, spending time at her ranch, and tracing family history through genealogy—an interest that spoke to her enduring appreciation for roots, connection, and the stories that shape a family. She also enjoyed playing Bingo at the senior center, where her easy manner and lightheartedness made simple moments feel like shared occasions.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, Clifford Irl Dorrell and Gayle Maxine Salisbury Dorrell; first husband, Gerald (Jerry) Hickman; second husband, Howard Oliver Dodrer Jr.; brothers Jack Dorrell, Gary (Butch) Dorrell and Robert Dorrell; and daughters Terri Dodrer Miller and Lisa Dodrer.

Sharon is survived by her brother Vernon Dorrell; sons Kevin Hickman (Laura), Troy Dodrer (Katrine) and David Dodrer (Michelle); daughters Kelly Dodrer, Traci Dodrer Nielsen (Richard) and Sherry Dodrer Johnson; as well as numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.