Eugene "Eddie" "Ed" Edward Dodge

Eugene Edward Dodge, better known as Eddie or Ed, was born into a loving family on February 21, 1947 in Denver, Colorado. His parents were George Harcourt Dodge and Helen Margaret Moore Dodge. He had an older brother, Melvin Grant, and an older sister, Barbara Jean. The family lived in Denver close to Children’s Hospital because Melvin needed special medical attention. After Melvin passed away, the family moved to Aurora, Colorado in 1950, and that is where Eddie grew up.

Eddie attended Crawford and Fulton Elementary Schools. During his younger years, Eddie began playing football and baseball, and he was involved with his family at Aurora Community Baptist Church. Eddie was 10 years old when he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior, and he was baptized in the summer of 1957.

During Eddie’s junior high school years, he joined the Sky Pilots program with the church youth group, and he and his dad built and flew many model airplanes together. These were the years when Eddie began going to Youth for Christ rallies, strengthening his faith. Eddie also continued to play football, basketball, and baseball throughout his years at West Junior High and Aurora Central High School, but baseball was the game that he loved. He was a fantastic second baseman for the great Aurora Central teams of the early sixties. Eddie graduated from Aurora Central High in 1965.

Eddie attended Colorado State College and continued his baseball career there. He graduated in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and Chemistry. One week after graduation, he married his long-time girlfriend, Lynda Thomsen, on June 7, 1969. Eddie taught Life Science at Isaac Newton Junior High School in Littleton, Colorado, for one year. The following year he and Lynda moved to Forest Grove, Oregon, where Ed attended Pacific University College of Optometry. When he graduated in 1974 as a Doctor of Optometry, they moved to Copperas Cove, Texas, where Ed began his Army career at Fort Hood as an optometrist. During those Army years, Ed became a father to son Christian Edward and daughter Casey Lynn. The military was a perfect fit for Ed, but the call of Colorado led the family back to Aurora in 1977. Ed’s family became complete in 1980 when daughter Carrie Leanne was born.

From 1977 until 2010, Ed practiced Optometry in Aurora, Denver, and the Army Reserve. He retired from Kaiser Permanente in 2010, and he retired from the Army in 2008 as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Ed loved his family, and anything family related brought him great joy and pride. Following Chris, Casey, and Carrie through their athletic activities was a highlight of Ed’s life. He could often be seen at football games, baseball games, wrestling matches, swimming meets, gymnastic meets, diving meets, and cheerleading competitions with his big video camera of the 80s and 90s recording moments to remember and treasure. All activities were definitely a joy when cheering for a family member.

All of Ed’s children were married within a three-year period. Casey married Tony Chapman, Carrie married Gabe Velasquez, and Chris married Shireen Batterson. Ed was so proud of this beautiful family, and more happiness came along with the three grandchildren: Jase Anthony Chapman, Teagan Pearl Chapman, and Adaleah Victoria Velasquez. Ed treasured the family vacations they spent together creating lasting memories. Every activity or conversation with a family member was always special.

Other activities Ed enjoyed throughout his years were golfing with his father, fly fishing, tying flies, reading, computer games, crossword puzzles, watching movies, reminiscing, and church. Ed read his Bible every day, and he was a prayer warrior for his family, friends, and country. Ed and Lynda celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary in June. They continually thanked God for guiding and blessing their marriage, their family, and the life they built together.

Ed stated many times that he was ready to go with God whenever He called Ed’s name. On July 5, 2026, that call came. Ed was surrounded by his entire family as God carried him home to heaven.