Kenneth Lewis Dodge

On December 12th, 2025, Kenneth Lewis Dodge was called home by his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at the age of 97. Ken was not only an accomplished pastor, but a loving husband, father, and grandfather. The many communities where his inspiration reached will miss his kindness, wisdom, and joyful sense of humor.

Ken's life began on March 7th, 1928, where he was born to Elwood and Nettie Dodge in Lafayette, Indiana. In his early years, his father's ministry led to several moves before graduating high school and working to attend Eastern Nazarene College, followed by Pasadena Nazarene College. During this time, he met his future wife, Lucia Anne (LuAnne) Dickson in Lancaster, Ohio. Shortly thereafter, in the fall of 1950, Ken was drafted to serve overseas in the United States Army.

Following two years of separation from his soon-to-be wife, LuAnne, Ken was honorably discharged from the military in the late summer of 1952, where he returned to Lancaster to be married in April of 1953. Following in the footsteps of his father, Ken began his ministry later that year in College Park, Maryland, where he spent six years laying the foundation for his long-lasting career as a pastor. Concurrently, Ken was formally ordained as a minister in the Church of the Nazarene in 1956. Most notably during this time, Ken and LuAnne were blessed with three sons, Kenneth Neel, Dennis Randall, and Jonathan Mark.

Upon completing his tenure in Maryland, Ken was called to a new pastorate in Toronto, Canada. After another six successful years, Ken accepted a new position which led him to upstate New York where his daughter, Melissa Beth, was born. Ken also found the time to host a weekly Christian radio show. After several years, in 1972, Ken returned to sunny California, where he embarked on the next chapter of his pastoral career. While maintaining his service, Ken also earned his Bachelor of Science in Psychology from San Francisco State University. It is here in California where Ken spent the remainder of his forty-one years of pastoral service to the church, and entered his retirement.

After the turn of the century, and enjoying eight years in retirement, Ken and LuAnne moved to Meridian, Idaho in 2001. In the years that followed, Ken became an Enrolled Agent with the IRS, and enjoyed seasonal work as a tax preparer for over two decades, while intermittently continuing his ministry as an active member of his church. On top of these accomplishments, Ken also found the time to publish dozens of devotionals to a local radio station, as well as author and publish a book and several renowned articles. Ken managed to accomplish all of this while simultaneously and lovingly providing for his family.

Ken is survived by his wife of 72 years, LuAnne Dodge, as well as his sisters, Martha Kindinger (Vern), Neva MacFarland (Steve), his two sons Dennis Dodge and Jonathan Dodge (Francine), his daughter Melissa Bingham (Tony), his grandchildren Christopher Dodge (Dana), Jonathan Dodge, Allison Maupin (Nathan) and Corey Bingham, his great grandchildren Kayla Dodge and Connor Dodge. He is preceded in death by his three brothers, John, Elwood and Herbert, as well as his sister, Helen and his first son, Kenneth.

A Memorial service will be held on Friday December 19th, at 3:30 PM at Faith Evangelical Church 11941 W Ustick Rd, Boise Idaho 83713.