Ron Dodson

Ron Dodson

, 91

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Ronald Ralph "Ron" Dodson, loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. Just three short months ago, Ron lost his beloved wife, Kay. He mourned her daily and most certainly he died of a broken heart.



Ron was born during the midst of the Great Depression, in a house in Bonners Ferry. He was the only child of Ralph and Genevieve (Dunning) Dodson. In 1939 his family moved to Fairbanks, Alaska where his father found work in the gold dredge mining camps, Ron had a great affection for Bonners Ferry. He lived and attended schools here off and on through out his childhood. His mother, Gen, was from the Dunning family that has had a very long history in Bonners. Ron enjoyed visits and staying with his many relatives here.



Ron was drafted and fulfilled his service with the US Army Alaska Yukon Command. Just out of high school, and before being drafted, he was introduced to and taught to fly by a friend from an Alaskan aviation pioneering family. This marked a turning point in the trajectory of his life. He loved flying and soon bought his first airplane, began flying in the bush and was eventually hired to fly commercial airlines. As a pilot many hours were spent in the northern-most remote arctic regions, he became a very experienced pilot and was skilled at flying many different types of airplanes.

While attending a short stint at the U of W, he was set up on a blind date with neighboring Seattle University nursing student Kay Tyrrell. The attraction was immediate and the beginning of nearly 70 years together. Ron and Kay married, with cousin Dee Dee Dunning (of Bonners Ferry), being their Best Man. Their honeymoon ended with them driving the Alaska Highway to Fairbanks (in December, no less) to begin their life together. All five of their daughters were born in Fairbanks. As the flying world began to change, Ron was offered a position with Western Airlines (later merging with Delta) and the family moved, eventually settling south of Seattle. Their last 50 years were spent in Enumclaw, WA. At mandatory retirement age, Captain Dodson retired from Delta Airlines having logged thousands of flying hours.



In retirement, Ron found joy managing his small farm and spending time with his family. He was also an early and avid Apple Macintosh user. He cherished his daily drives with Kay. Ron had a great sense of humor and was a natural storyteller. From his tales of growing up in the wilds of Alaska and Bonners Ferry and flying the Alaskan bush to his description of the blind date that introduced him to Kay, his stories never got old.



Ron served as a great example to others in the way he lived – honest, hardworking, straightforward, generous and respectful. He was fiercely protective of his family, and his word was his bond. While Kay was the heart of the family, Ron was the strong, solid, protective foundation. His loss is profoundly felt by all who knew him.



Ron is survived by his daughters, Cathi Dodson, Sue Zender (Mark), Margi Dodson, Teri Judkins (Mike), and Jennifer Stowell (Brendan), his grandchildren, Daniel Zender, Kate Zender, Matthew Zender (Kristy), Nathan Judkins, Brian Judkins (Elyse), Rachel Lopez Stowell (Nico), Abigail Stowell and his remaining Dunning cousins Cheri (Dunning) Prestek and Bruce Thomas

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Kay Tyrrell Dodson; his parents Ralph and Gen (Dunning) Dodson and many relatives and friends.



A funeral mass will take place on Friday, Sept 19 2025 at 11:00am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, followed by a luncheon at the same venue.