Funeral services for Bobby Dee Dodd, 82, of Lexington were held Friday, April 5, 2024 at the First Baptist Church in Lexington. Rev. Ronald Vansell officiated. Inerment was at the Lexington Cemetery, alongside his daughter, Dee Ann Dobb, under the direction of Wilson-Little Funeral Home.
Bobby Dee was carried by angels from his home and family to his eternal home in Heaven on April 1, 2024 after a courageous battle with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (cancer).
He was born on April 27, 1941 in Norman, Okla, the second son of Douglas Ray Dodd and Jewel McCalip Dodd. He grew up in the Norman area and attended various schools through the eighth grade. His parents divorced at a young age. He needed to work to help pay billsand help with needs of the family.
The U. S. Navy base in Norman was in full swing after WWII so he would shine shoes for the sailors, work in bars sweeping floors and whatever odd jobs came along to earn money. He and his older brother, Dwayne Lee Dodd, sometimes worked together.
As time went along, other siblings were added to the family and he never got back to school. At the age of 16, in 1957, Bobby got a job at the University of Oklahoma Will Rogers Cafeteria and worked as a bus boy, then to Floor Manager/Coordinator of events and Employees.
In 1960, while working there, his friend, Joeann Beason from Lexington came to OU to work and go to school. Daily, she accompanied her fellow-workers to coffee breaks in the cafeteria. That friendship developed into a date, courtship and eventually marriage, June 1, 1962, to the love of his life. In two months they would have been married 62 years.
In 1963 he was employed by OU Duplicating Services as an offset press operator, working continuously for 31 years until his retirement in December 1995 which lasted 28 years. He received recognition for his loyalty and dedication which contributed greatly to the University excellence throughout the years. He was a trouble-shooter for much of the equipment and widely and fondly known as the pest and “trouble-maker”.
In 1966 he enlisted in the U.S. Army with an MOSC of Multi Engine Airplane Repair Helicopter Mechanic (rotary and fixed winged air craft), training and working on helicopters during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged in 1971.
In 1966 their son, Bobby Dee Dodd was born on Christmas Day, December 25, 1966. June 29, 1969 their daughter Dee Ann Dodd was born. He was a devoted husband and father. He always took his family to church and faithfully emphasized the importance of serving God. He served as Sunday School Superintendent, Board Member, Usher and was a faithful supporter and worker in the Norman PCG (1962-1972) and Rose Hill Pentecostal Church of God, hardly ever missing a service in the 61 years.
He and Joaeann designed and built their home which they occupied in 1978 and still live in that house. He was a self-made man, with God’s help, who was committed to work and completion of projects. His incredible knowledge and expertise in mechanics of vehicles, motorcycles, lawn mowers, dirt bikes, tractors, small engine and whatever challenged him and gained him a reputation of integrity of which many people availed themselves. If he didn’t know how to fix it, he sought help to learn how. He lived and loved to work in his beloved garage/workshop, often having multiple projects ongoing simultaneously.
Bobby was preceeded in death by his parents, Jewel and Douglas Dodd; his mother and father-in-law, Carl and Mildred Beason; his daughter, Dee Ann Dodd; his brothers, Tommy Smith and Phillip Smith; his sister, Judy Canning; his sister-in-law, Norma Dodd, his brothers-in-law Roy Beason, Mike Rushton and sister-in-law Carlene Beason Rushton.
Survivors include is wife, Joeann Dodd; his son, Robby (Cathy) Dodd; granddaughter, Jennifer (Dustin) Clardy; his grandson, Dillon (Torri); his brother, Dwayne Dodd; his sisters, Rita Gail (Jerry) Puckett; Pat (Gary) Larson; and Suzanne Smeltzer; his great-grands: Ryan (Anna) Clardy; Aidan and Adelynn Clardy; Deelani and Kenzley Dodd; his sister-in-law Norma Beason; brothers-in-law Donald “Cap” (Johnnie) Beason and Don Canning, his beloved dog Beau-Cephas along with numerous other relatives and friends.
Online condolences may be made at wilsonlittle.com.
