Captain Leonard W. Dodson, Jr.

Captain Leonard W. Dodson, Jr. age 97, passed away September 29, 2020. He was born May 1, 1923 in Plainville, Kan. to the late Dr. Leonard W. Dodson, Sr. and Ellen M. Davis Dodson.

Chaplain Dodson married Dorothy L. Neal Dodson in 1942. She preceded him in death, October 7, 2011, four months short of their 70th wedding anniversary. They had two married children; Rev. John W. Dodson (Connie) and Dr. Judith A. Lee (Robert). There are six grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and four great, great-grandchildren.

Chaplain Dodson Served pastorates in Arizona, California and Colorado. He was commissioned as a Navy Chaplain in 1950 and retired from the Navy in 1980. He was ordained in the Church of The Nazarene. His Chaplaincy was varied with sea duty and shore duty. He had two overseas assignments accompanied with his wife Dottie, Naval Air Station Naples, Italy and Fleet Chaplain for U.S. Naval Forces Europe, headquarters in London, England. He had one unaccompanied tour of duty in the Republic of Vietnam; he was the Force Chaplain for U.S. Naval Forces Vietnam, headquartered in Saigon.

His Naval Assignments included three tours with the United States Marine Corps: Naval Air Station, Los Alamitos, CA; Destroyer Squadron 21, Long Beach, CA; U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA; Harvard University, Cambridge, MA; U.S. Marines Force Troops, Camp Lejeune, NC; U.S. Naval Air Facility, Naples, Italy; Fifth Marine Division, Camp Pendelton, CA; Chief of Chaplains Office, Personnel and Assignment Officer, Washington, D.C.; Command Chaplain U.S. Naval Forces, Republic of Vietnam, Saigon; U.S. Naval War College, Newport, RI; Force Chaplain, Cruiser/Destroyer Force Pacific; Force Chaplain, Naval Surface Force, Pacific; Fleet Chaplain U.S. Naval Forces Europe in London, England; Command Chaplain, Staff Commander in Chief Naval Material command, Washington D.C.

Retired from active duty United States Navy, October 1, 1980. His medals and awards include: The Legion of Merit; The Bronze Star with V; U.S. Navy Meritorious Service Medal; Navy Commendation Medal; Vietnamese Service Medal; Vietnamese Medal First Class; Vietnam Civic Action Medal; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 Device.

Chaplain Dotson and Dottie moved to Monticello, FL in 2002. He became active in community service and Church activities: Treasurer for Jefferson County Ministerial Association; Board Member of the Big Bend Hospice Volunteers; Board Member Jefferson County Senior Center; Vice Chair Jefferson County Educational Foundation; Chaplain, Monticello Rotary Club; Member 9/11 Committee; Member American Legion Post 49; Member Veterans Day Parade Committee. He has filled in as Pulpit Supply for a number of Churches in Jefferson County.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday Oct. 17, 2020 at the First United Methodist Church of Monticello, Fla. Masks are mandatory, arrangements are being handled by Beggs Funeral Home, Monticello Chapel. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Big Bend Hospice.