Floyd Cummings Dodson Jr.

1924-2015

Superior Court Judge Floyd C. Dodson passed away in Santa Barbara Friday, August 21, 2015 at the age of 91. A native of Texas, his long and colorful life included bomber pilot service in World War II, many years in California law practice and on the bench in Santa Barbara as a Superior Court Judge. He traveled extensively, piloting his own planes and power boats, but he always returned to Santa Barbara which he considered the dearest spot on earth.

Floyd is survived by his wife Billie and four children, Peter Dodson, John Dodson, Celia Dodson Hinds and Susan Dodson Hietman. He is remembered fondly by his four step-children, Deborah, Gall, Mark and Kym Herrin, his 11 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Lera Dodson, a brother, Dr. Dwain Dodson, and a sister, Carolyn Dodson Keeble. He is predeceased by one son, Walter Dodson.

Floyd was born April 19, 1924 in Lockhart, Texas, the eldest son and namesake of his father who was a renowned geologist credited with the primary exploration of the Texas Permian Basin. Young Floyd grew up in San Angelo Texas where he excelled in swimming, diving and football as well as academics.

At age 13 Floyd became the youngest Eagle Scout ever to achieve the coveted designation. He was invited to Washington DC to meet with President Franklin D. Roosevelt and stand by him as he broadcast the official invitation to the 1937 national Boy Scout Jamboree.

Upon high school graduation at age 17, Floyd entered Texas AandM University for one year but after Pearl Harbor was attacked, he and several high school pals including Fess Parker, left college to join the Navy together. Floyd went on to train and serve as a dive bomber pilot flying SBDs "The Beasts" off the aircraft carrier USS Bennington in the Pacific Theater.

After the war, Floyd married his first wife Cielo and continued his education at the University of California, Berkeley, and Hastings College of Law. As a Naval Reserve pilot, he routinely flew along the coast of California and thus he discovered his true love, Santa Barbara, nestled between the mountains and the sea. He knew he wanted to spend his life here and raise his family.

On January 28, 1953, Floyd was admitted to The State Bar of California. He practiced law in Santa Barbara until 1967 when he was appointed by Governor Ronald Reagan to the Santa Barbara Superior Court.

During his years on the bench, Floyd Dodson did not merely preside as judge, he took action. One of his first actions was to issue a standing order requiring a County Probation Officer be available 24/7 so that juveniles did not have to be subject to an entire weekend of incarceration without timely legal review. His next action was to streamline the court ordering of spousal and child support reducing the plaintiffs' average waiting time from 15 months to 30 days.

A bigger challenge was the streamlining of the criminal and long-cause civil calendars. As he said, "The people, not only the defendant, are entitled to a speedy trial." During his term as Presiding Judge, Dodson managed to eliminate the practice of repeated "time waivers" and thus brought all cases to trial within the statutory 60 day requirement.

While a sitting Superior Court judge, Floyd was a member of the California Judge's Association. He was appointed by the Chief Justice of California to the prestigious 58-member Judicial Council of California, which sets policy and procedure for the entire state judiciary.

In 1970, Floyd Dodson, father of five teenagers, married Billie Herrin, mother of four teenagers. The "Dodson Bunch" populated Floyd's home in Montecito's old olive mill "El Molino" with love and laughter.

Following his years as a Superior Court judge, Floyd Joined the Los Angeles law firm of Kern and Wooley where he specialized in aircraft accident litigation. He retired in 1989 after 36 years at the bar.

In their retirement years, Floyd and Billie (also a licensed pilot) flew their own planes and piloted their own 42' power boat around the coasts of the United States, Baja, Mexico and Central America. They boated and scuba dived off the California coast, the Caribbean and South China Sea. They spent two years traveling the USA in their 40' motor coach. After their riviera home burned in the Tea fire, they continued traveling in the local area while overseeing the rebuilding.

Floyd was a long time member of the University Club of Santa Barbara and the Jonathan Club of Los Angeles, where he served as Commodore of the Jonathan Yacht Club.

Floyd Dodson is remembered as a man whose actions and decisions sought equity, dignity and respect for others both friends and strangers. As a judge, it was said he never sidestepped a controversial local issue. He heard them all. For him, justice was never an abstraction. It was a prescription for the human condition he believed should be the right of all.

A private interment will be held at Santa Barbara Cemetery. The family are most grateful for the fine care of Casa San Miguel and Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care of Santa Barbara. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to: VNHC Foundation, 509 E. Montecito St., Suite 200, Santa Barbara, 93103. Condolences may be sent to: ifly499@aol.com.