Raymond Dodd

Raymond Dodd Raymond Edward "Bunch" Dodd Sr., 97, of Paso Robles passed away Saturday, November 8, 2014 at home. He died peacefully, surrounded by his loving family. The second son of one of Adelaida's pioneer families, Bunch learned early the value of hard work and clean living. He would wake at 4:00am to feed the livestock and milk the cows before going to school. He attended the one-room Sunderland School located near the Klau and Buena Vista Mines. He spent one extra year at the school so that he could learn to drive to be able to get to town to attend Paso Robles High School where he graduated in 1936. Because of having to work on the family ranch, he was unable to participate in school athletics. That did not stop him from being a huge Bearcat football fan, attending nearly every game for over 50 years. After high school, he worked on the family ranch and at the nearby mines. In 1941, he married the love of his life, Evelyn Catherine Kisella. Their meeting at a grange dance in Atascadero was the beginning of a love affair that was to last for over 65 years. Buying out his parent's ranch and adding other parcels over the years, he developed a cattle ranch that he worked on until over 90 years of age. His distinctive cattle call rang over the Adelaida hills and the cattle would come running for the feeding of hay that was sure to follow. The ranch had horses, but he was able to gather cattle with a call and a truckload of alfalfa hay! In his last years at The Lodges at Ada's Vineyard he would entertain the staff with his Swiss yodel which he developed calling cattle on his ranch. Aside from the ranch, he also worked other jobs; working many years for Eaton and Smith at Lime Mountain in Adelaida as well as driving propane tanker trucks for Van Gas. Often he would get off work at Lime Mountain, stop at the ranch to feed cattle and then go on to drive the tanker truck all night. Hard work was not something to be feared in his life! Working hard and being a good husband and father, that was his life. He and Evelyn had three children: Sheila, Vicki and Raymond Jr. as well as a number of other youngsters who he took under his wing and included in the family. Long days on the ranch were work, but also lots of fun! After his children were raised, Bunch kept busy with a number of community organizations. Elks Club, Knights of Columbus, Native Sons of the Golden West, Farm Bureau, Paso Robles Main Street, Paso Robles Historical Society, Chamber of Commerce, 7X Youth Camp, Paso Robles High School Boosters, and docent at the Pioneer Museum. He was also a parishioner of St. Rose Church and Mission San Miguel. He was an avid supporter of St. Rose Catholic School from the time the school opened until his death. He was Pioneer Day Marshall in 1994 and was the only Marshall to ride a horse through the parade in the past 25 years. He was also named the "Mayor of Adelaida" by the Chamber of Commerce and was Roblan of the Month. He is survived by his daughter, Vicki Silva and son, Raymond Dodd Jr.. Grandchildren: Sylvia Smith, Jennifer Moffatt (Jim), Brian Silva (Lori), Gelene Coelho (Chris), Raymond Dodd III (Audrey) and Polly Dodd. Great-grandchildren: Anthony Duarte, Megan, Katie and Lindsay Moffatt, Chassey, Riley and Adelaida Coelho, Otto and Maddox Dodd. Great-great grandchildren: Braydn and Reese Duarte. He was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn; daughter, Sheila Diane; grandson, Robbie and son-in-law, Russ Silva. The funeral vigil will be held Thursday, November 13, at 7:00pm at Kuehl-Nicolay Funeral Home. The funeral Mass will be held at St. Rose Catholic Church at 10:00am on Friday, November 14. Burial will follow at Adelaide Cemetery at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be made to St. Rose Catholic School, 900 Tucker Ave, Paso Robles, Calif., 93446. Sign his guestbook at sanluisobispo.com/obituaries