J. Richard "Dick" Dodson

BURLINGTON – Mr. J. Richard "Dick" Dodson, 84, of Burlington passed away at The Homeplace of Burlington on Monday, May 15, 2017 at 7 a.m.

A native of Rockingham County, he was the husband of Becky Kernodle Dodson, who survives and the son of William Gaston Dodson and Lula Mae Carter Dodson, both deceased.

Mr. Dodson was a gifted athlete and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on a baseball scholarship. Following his graduation, he taught school and coached at E. M. Holt High School and Altamahaw Ossipee "AO" High School. He then worked at Metropolitan Life Insurance Company followed by a time at Somers Pardue, where he worked in real estate sales and developed an expertise in real estate appraising. In 1975, he opened his own business, Dodson Appraisals and Real Estate Company. He operated the company for over 35 years, retiring in 2010. Dick was a member of the Alamance-Burlington Board of Realtors, the Indian Valley Golf Association and was a former member of the AO Civitan Club. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed quail hunting and deep-sea fishing.

Mr. Dodson was a member of Fairview United Methodist Church where he was a former Sunday School Teacher, Sunday School Superintendent and choir member. He was a member of the United Methodist Men and helped with the upkeep of the church grounds.

Dick was very loyal to his family and friends, especially his loving wife of 65 years. In addition to his wife, Becky, survivors include a daughter, Susan Dodson York and husband Gerald of Burlington; two sons, Rick Dodson and wife Debbie of Elon and Mark Dodson and wife Jennifer of New Bern; brother, Harry Lee Dodson and wife Nettie Lou of Burlington; six grandchildren, Jason York and wife Marjorie, John York and wife Becky, Kelly Carter and husband Mitch, Katy Dodson, Karin Dodson and Craig Dodson and wife Summer; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by four sisters and seven brothers.

The funeral service will be conducted at Fairview United Methodist Church on Thursday, May 18, 2017 at 12 p.m. by Rev. Dr. S. Mark Clark with the family receiving friends from 10 until 11:45 a.m. prior to the service at the church. Other times, the family will be at the residence.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Fairview United Methodist Church General Fund, 3128 Osceola Road, Elon, NC 27244 or to Hospice and Palliative Care of Alamance-Caswell, 914 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington, NC 27215.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation for the loving care provided by the entire staff of The Homeplace of Burlington as well as the Hospice staff.

Rich & Thompson Funeral and Cremation Service in Burlington is assisting the family.

Condolences may be offered at www.richandthompson.com.