Charles Edward Dodd

1945 - 2021

Charles Edward (Chuck) Dodd

Tuscaloosa - Charles Edward (Chuck) Dodd, age 76, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, died unexpectedly June 4, 2021 in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, where he and his wife were celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary. Services will be held in Tuscaloosa at Tuscaloosa Memorial Park and Chapel on Thursday, July 22, 2021 with visitation in the chapel from 12 PM to 2 PM followed by graveside service in Memorial Park with Tuscaloosa Memorial Chapel Funeral Home directing.

Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Edith (Butler) Dodd of Coweta, Oklahoma. Survivors include his wife, Margaret Duncan Coons, of Tuscaloosa; sister, Charlene Hogan of Mountain Home, Arkansas; brothers Everett Dodd (Sharon), of Coweta, Oklahoma and Daniel Dodd (Marsha), of Lantana, Texas; step daughters Krystl Wyatt-Heine (Stephen) of Anna, Texas and Kandice Prescher (Jay) of Valley View, Texas; three step grandchildren, and three great step grandchildren; longtime family friends Gary Dennis Kirk and Dorothy J. Martin; nieces, nephews and other relatives. He is also survived by his miniature Australian shepherd and close companion, Abilene.

Chuck was born February 7, 1945 in Coweta, Oklahoma and graduated from Coweta High School in 1963 as class Valedictorian. He received an associate degree from Oklahoma State University (OSU) in May,1966 and was subsequently employed by Texas Instruments in Dallas, Texas. He was drafted into the U. S. Army in October,1966, completed basic training at Fort Bliss, Texas and infantry training at Fort Polk, Louisiana. He served a tour of duty in Vietnam with the famously tough "Big Red One" 1st Infantry Division, participating in major battles in South Vietnam including the Tet Offensive and Operation Toan Thang. He was awarded a Bronze Star for heroic and meritorious service. In September, 1968 he was honorably discharged and returned to employment with Texas Instruments in Dallas. In 1978, he earned a degree in electrical engineering from The University of Texas Arlington while also working full-time. Chuck retired from Texas Instruments in 1999 after a 33-year-long career. He continued to consult full-time for General Dynamics, AAR Brown International, and other companies, primarily in defense contracting, before fully retiring in 2015.

Chuck met and married Margaret in 2001, and they made their home on their Tuscaloosa horse farm. He was a loving husband, supporter, and best friend to Margaret. They had renewed their wedding vows in Jamaica on the day of his death. Chuck was also an avid horseman, enthusiastic University of Alabama Crimson Tide fan, and he took great pride and joy in the farm, where he frequently had a well-engineered enhancement project underway.

Chuck is sorely missed by his family that loved, respected, and greatly admired him and will always hold his memory dear.

Pallbearers are Billy Camp, David Camp, Daniel Dodd, Everette Dodd, Gary Dennis Kirk, and Chris Gallman.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of choice.