John Dane Dodge Sr.

1923 - 2024

John Dane Dodge Sr.

May 25, 1923 - December 11, 2024

As Forrest Gump so eloquently put it, "I'm pretty tired. I think I'll go home now." And so, after 101 ½ trips around the sun, Dad did just that.

To live 101 ½ years is a feat in itself, but to cover his life in an obituary, that's impossible. Here goes. Dad was preceded in death by his parents Fred and Louise Harvey Dodge, sisters Joanne Dodge Harris and Marylou Dodge Covington, first wife Helen Buchanan Dodge, (birth mother to John and Scott), son Frank Arconti, and a litany of his favorite dogs. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 61 years Claudia Dodge, whom, without her incredible commitment, stickler to diet, daily crossword puzzles, and making sure he took his daily pomegranate juice, would not have reached the century mark. Additional survivors include sons John and Scott, daughter Lynn Malone (George), grandchildren Aaron, Morgan, Shannon, a bevy of great grandchildren, and nephews.

Dad was known for his infectious smile, distinct twinkle in his eye, and making friends easily and often. He valued friendships, loyal to a fault, sharp as a tack, inquisitive, had an appetite for knowledge, a ferocious reader, and took a sincere interest in others. Born in Lansing, Michigan, Dad graduated in 1940 from East Lansing High School. He had earned an appointment to the United States Naval Academy, but upon arriving in Annapolis, failed the eye exam and was sent home. He would enroll at Michigan State, a stone's throw away from his house, and where the Dodge family had deep roots. A track star in the hurdles, he would set many college records. With WW II in full swing, he would enlist in the Marine Corps during his junior year as a private, because that's what Americans did. The Marines saw something in Dad, and he quickly rose through the ranks from private, to Drill Instructor, to officer. He worked special ops while in the Marines, including a secret munitions project in the basement of Johns Hopkins. He would eventually go into the reserves as a Captain and was scheduled to be promoted to Major when he announced his retirement from the Marines in October of 1958. Two months later his son John was born.

Dad would lose his wife Helen to cancer after Scott was born, start a successful business, remarry, gain two stepchildren, be elected to city council and then mayor of Hidden Hills, California. In 1969, the family moved to Oxford, Maryland where we lived for fourteen years at our beloved Deep Water Point home. Upon Dad's retirement, he and mom would move seven more times, back to California, Sun Valley, Idaho, Big Horn, Wyoming, Big Fork, Montana, Richmond, Virginia, Williamsburg, Virginia, and then back to Richmond. From the eastern shore of Maryland to the plains of Wyoming to the picturesque mountains of Montana to the southern hospitality of Virginia to Trellis Crossing, friends were always in abundance. Of the many friends Dad had, Sen. Barry Goldwater and General William "Buffalo Bill" Quinn stood out, and were regulars at our house in Oxford. Sen. Goldwater's famous Grand Canyon Hiking, Singing, and Loving Group, provided lifetime memories.

Dad started a very successful insurance brokerage company, focusing on the petrochemical industry, which required trips from Texas to Alaska. His stories were epic.

He loved the chase, whether as a cowboy chasing cattle off the mountain on horseback in Wyoming, fly fishing in the rivers chasing monster trout in Montana, chasing sailboats on the Chesapeake Bay racing with sons John and Scott, or chasing his beloved dogs. He loved the thrill of competition, but his true joy was watching his sons compete. It is safe to say Dad embraced actor Clint Eastwood's motto regarding aging, "I don't let the old man in", and Dad didn't, until December 11th, 2024. We will love you always. Semper Fi.

Our family held a private ceremony in December. There will be a Celebration of Life in April when the flowers bloom. Details to follow.

Thank you to Bliley's Funeral Home, Henrico Doctors Hospital, and to Infinity Hospice Care.