Kenneth Ross Dodson

DODSON, DRAPER, BRENNEMAN, COLBERT

Posted By: Skipton
Date: 8/11/2012 at 17:17:59

Kenneth "Bud" Ross Dodson, 83 of Lone Tree, died August 3, 2012 as the result of an accident. Funeral services for Kenneth were 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 7, 2012, at the Lone Tree American Legion. Pastor Susan Barnes officiated the services. Full military rites were provided by the Lone Tree American Legion Post 457. Following the services, a time of food and fellowship was held at the Lone Tree American Legion. Visitation was held on Tuesday, August 7, from 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the Lone Tree American Legion. Memorials may be directed to the Lone Tree American Legion in memory of Kenneth. The Sorden-Lewis Home for Funeral and Cremation services is caring for the family. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.lewisfuneralhomes.com.

Kenneth was born February 23, 1929 in Lone Tree, the son of Eslie Dodson and Merle Draper Dodson. He graduated from Lone Tree High School and entered the US Navy in 1948 serving on the USS Helena Light Cruiser in the Korean War through 1954. He was very proud of the service he and others gave to our country. Following his service, he returned to Lone Tree to farm and married Audrey Brenneman Dodson on January 15, 1955. He was a jack-of-all-trades, as most farmers are and was extremely artistic and a talented craftsmen. Ken built their home as well as a Gold Wing Experimental aircraft, flying it on calm evenings over southeast Johnson County as well northeast Washington County. Ken enjoyed watching the space flight coverage on the Space Channel, racing, Iowa Football and Basketball among other sports and greatly enjoyed watching his two grandchildren participant in many sports. He was a devoted member of the Lone Tree American Legion Post 457, instrumental in the All Veterans Memorial now standing in front of the Legion building, designing and raising funds for it and oversaw each detail of its construction. He and his wife, Audrey attended bi annual USS Helena Crew reunions throughout the country, gaining many close friendships and was looking forward to next years reunion at Helena, Montana and had just made arrangements to be on the next Honor Flight with his daughter to Washington DC as a Korean War Veteran. He was also a member of the Lone Tree United Presbyterian Church and used many of his talents to maintain the church property. A lover of dogs, he had many devoted pets through the years, and you often saw them in the passenger seat of his car or golf cart buzzing around the farm.

Ken is survived by his wife, Audrey Brenneman Dodson with whom he would have celebrated 58 years of marriage, his daughter, Cheri Dodson Colbert, his son, Keith, daughter-in-law, Lois, two grandchildren, Andrew and Elizabeth, all of Lone Tree, a brother, Cleo of Lone Tree, his wife, Shirley, two nephews, Steve and Kevin (San Jose, CA) and his son, Jeremy, a niece, Laurie Dodson Lilleg, her husband, Mike, their daughter, Jasmine of Iowa City, sister-in-law, Debbie Brenneman Magruder, husband, Doug, their children, Renee, Ryan, and Robyn, brother-in-law, Kenneth Brenneman, his wife, Eunice, their children Mindy, Mike and Andrea, brother-in-law, Vernon Brenneman, wife, Deb, his children, Christy, Cathy, Colene and Carmen, brother-in-law, Raymond Brenneman, wife, Andrea, their children, Karleen and Phil, brother-in-law, Ron Brenneman, wife, Jane, two sons, Clint and Jered, all of Lone Tree, many great neices and nephews and two cousins of Washington, Iowa, David (Clarice) and Pete (Carol) Bell.

As a devoted husband, father, brother, uncle and substitute-grandfather to many of the great nieces and nephews in the family, Ken was a great example of a hard working man who served and loved his country, respected and farmed the land, and was a great conversationalist who cared deeply about people.