Adams "Toby" Dodson Jr.

Adams 'Toby' Dodson Jr.

Adams "Toby" Dodson Jr., 86, of Arlington, Massachusetts, went to be with the Lord on the morning of Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. His loving wife of 52 years, Diane, was by his side.

Toby was a lovingly devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend.

Toby was born in Bethlehem, Pa., on March 26, 1938, to Adams and Mary (Nicholson) Dodson. He grew up in Bethlehem, attending Moravian Preparatory School and transitioning in high school to the George School Boarding program, from which he graduated in 1956.

He went on to graduate from Lehigh University in 1960 and, in the late 1970s, acquired a master's degree in government administration from The University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business.

In 1972, Toby met and married Diane Derby of Summit Hill, Pa. They settled in East Falls, Pa., where they raised two children, Anne Leslie and John Adams.

Toby worked as a Redevelopment Technician for the Redevelopment Authority of Philadelphia until his retirement in 1993. During his tenure, he often employed his skills as a photographer by capturing pictures of city land and buildings.

Toby was an artist at heart and photography was one of the great joys and beautiful expressions of his life. He captured images of nature, cityscapes and family that now hold memories and tell stories that otherwise may have been long forgotten. Toby's much-loved annual Thanksgiving slideshows brought much joy to his family's holiday family gatherings.

In 2005, Toby and Diane moved to Rehoboth Beach, Del., where they spent 16 happy years close to family and the beach. In 2021, they moved to Arlington, Mass.

Toby leaves behind a lasting legacy of kindness, beauty and generosity. He will be remembered for his quiet, gentle nature, attention to detail, sense of humor, and genuine care of the people he knew and loved.

In addition to his wife, Diane, Toby is survived by his sister, Henrietta "Happy" Trousdell of Kettle Falls, Wash.; daughter, Anne Leslie Chen of Arlington, Mass. (husband, Philip), and son, John Adams Dodson of Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y. (wife, Nancy), and by his five beloved grandchildren.

He is predeceased by his son, James Dodson.

Service: Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 17, 2025, at the Parambo Funeral Home, 54 W. Fell St., Summit Hill, to which relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend.

The Rev. Ruth Ann Christopher will be officiating.

Calling hours are Saturday from 10-10:30 a.m. at the funeral home.

Friends from afar can follow the service livestreamed on the Parambo Funeral Home Facebook page (www.facebook.com at parambofh).

Interment will follow at Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery, Summit Hill.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Toby's memory to the Hope of Christ Presbyterian Church at 44 W. White St., Summit Hill, PA 18250.