William Eugene "Gene" Dodson

April 26 1928 - Sept. 26, 2017 Vallejo William Eugene "Gene" Dodson was born to Pauline and J. Leetense Dodson on April 26, 1928, in Springfield, MO. Gene moved with his family to San Bernardino in 1945. He enlisted in the US Navy Reserves in 1948 and was discharged in 1953. His desire was to be an aeronautical engineer and he worked briefly for Boeing until he joined the automotive business with his father at Dodson's Auto Parts. Gene designed and built six fiberglass sport cars and named them "LeGene". Some of the cars are still in use today, one with his brother Jay, another in Florida, and one has raced in the vintage series at Watkins Glen New York. Gene accepted Christ as his Savior at Vacation Bible School at a young age and spent most of his adult life serving the Lord in the ministry. He received his degree in 1964 at California Baptist College, Riverside, and attended Golden Gate Seminary where he later served on the Board of Trustees. In 1952, First Baptist Church, Highland asked Gene to lead a small mission church in a vacant store front. He was licensed to preach in 1954 and ordained to the gospel ministry in 1957. Under his leadership, the mission quickly outgrew its space and organized as Sterling Baptist Church. Property was purchased for new building construction and the church grew becoming a successful church and school in the community. Gene pastored Sterling Baptist Church for 12 years. In 1964 Grant Street Baptist Church in Corvallis, OR called him as pastor. In 1968 First Southern in Redding called him as pastor and in 1970 he accepted the call to pastor Castlewood Baptist Church in Vallejo where another school ministry began to grow. In 1976, he founded North Hills Baptist Church and Christian School to reach the growing church and school community. Gene pastored North Hills until he retired to Oregon in May 2003. North Hills dedicated their first building by renaming it "Dodson Hall". Upon his return to Vallejo in 2009 the church named him Pastor Emeritus. Gene was known as "Brother Gene" by members of the congregations. He was deeply loved and respected for his passion to the ministry and for his diligent, untiring service for those in the church and community. He served as a member of the Executive Board for the California Southern Baptist Convention 1971-75. He also served as a Chaplain with the Solano County Law Enforcement Chaplains Association and with the Vallejo Police Chaplains. Gene married Virginia Louise Edmisson on July 16, 1949. Together they had five daughters. In addition to serving the Lord with Virginia by his side, he was a loving and devoted son, husband, father, uncle, grandfather, great and great-great grandfather. There wasn't anything Gene couldn't do. His free time included working with his hands. During his lifetime, he led and physically worked on building projects at four churches, designed and built five family homes, and maintained, repaired and restored numerous automobiles for the family. Gene was preceded in death by both of his parents and a nephew. He is survived by Virginia, his wife of 68 years; his five daughters, Debbie Miller (Chuck), Judy Odle (Bryan), Cindy Moraes (Paul), Paula Prentice (Bill), and Melanie Dodson Turner (John); 16 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren and one great-great grandson. He is also survived by his sister, Dorthea Cram (Bob, deceased); and brothers, Jay Dodson (Linda), Daryl Dodson (Rose) and three nephews. A Celebration of Life service will be held Sunday, Oct. 29 at 3 p.m., at North Hills Church and School, 200 Admiral Callaghan Lane, Vallejo. Contributions in Brother Gene's name may be made to the North Hills Memorial Fund for the soon to be established Gene and Virginia Dodson Endowment Fund. Arrangements entrusted to the direction and care of Skyview Memorial Lawn, 707-644-7474.