Jerrell Thomas Dodson

HITCHCOCK –Jerrell Thomas Dodson, 79 years old, passed from this life January 16, 2025.
Texas farm boy through and through, he was born in Rosebud and raised just outside of Penelope. He graduated early as the Valedictorian of his class from Penelope High School – go Wolverines! He continued to attend the High School Reunions and on more than one trip got a prize for the furthest distance traveled. He moved to Texas City shortly after graduation and lived there until moving to Hitchcock in 2002.
Jerrell started taking things apart when he was about 4 years old, it didn't take him long to learn to put them back together again, often working better than the original. Never one to be idle he was always thinking of something even when you thought he was watching TV he'd be building plans for a new project or thinking of whatever motor he was working on. While on the farm he often worked on the cars, trucks, tractors and farm equipment at home and helped neighbors with theirs on occasion too. He didn't share a lot about his childhood but did tell us about working at the cotton gin. There was literally always a line for those jobs, 24 hrs. shift you got off just long enough to eat, sleep and go back to the job.
After moving to Texas City he managed a 7Eleven store and worked as a mechanic for Malone Trucking before starting his career at Union Carbide as an Operator and later taking college classes and training to move into Instrumentation. He worked as an Instrument-man for over half of his 36 years with Union Carbide, retiring in 2001. He was diligent in his record keeping and diagramming and had an outstanding work ethic. He was well regarded by his peers.
Jerrell was always working on something, usually a car/truck (sometimes a boat!). Be it one of his to keep it running or family, friend/neighbor or co-worker to help keep theirs running too. Sometimes there just wasn't enough of him to go around, but he'd give advice so others could do the repairs. Living on a corner lot and the garage doors open more often than not it drew people to him, even the teenagers from the area.
It was hard for Jerrell to focus on his own projects, he was always working on a vehicle for someone, but the family continued to encourage him to work on his own projects too. It took over 2 years for the Rat Rod to be completed but he did it all himself. He entered the Auto Rama, Houston as an Exhibitor and had a great deal of interest in his vehicle and several offers to buy it. In 2024 he entered the 65th Auto Rama as a competitor and received 1st place!! He was so proud of this accomplishment. He was in the hospital during the competition and was not able to be there when he won!! Shawn brought the Rat Rod, fancy new pictures and the award plaque to the hospital so Daddy almost floated off the bed when he realized he won!
Jerrell worked hard his whole life and realized – too late – that he didn't take enough time to enjoy it. He was telling us to take the time to do things we enjoy with the people that are important to us.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy Everett and Ivy Lou (Martin) Dodson; daughter, Chere' Dawne Dodson; sisters, Minnie Dodson, Judy Kucera and husband, Robert.
Survivors include his son, Shawn Dodson of Texas City; daughter, Paula Dodson of Hitchcock; brother, Richard Dodson and wife, Lynn of Dallas; grandchildren, Laura Garrison and husband, Brandon, Sgt. Jami Dodson and wife, Alex, LCpl. Jagger Dodson; great-grandchild, Raylee Dodson; numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, January 25, 2025, at Mainland Community Church, 1708 N. Amburn Road, Suite C, Texas City, Texas 77591, with Pastor Jake Bigford officiating.
Honorary pallbearers will be Sgt. Jami Dodson, LCpl. Jagger Dodson, David Jones, James E. "Pokey" Smith, William "Bill" Smith and John Stockman.
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