Joseph Paul Dodson, 89, of Davenport, Iowa, died Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at Washington County Hospital in Washington, Iowa. The son of Josephus and Jessie (French) Dodson, Paul was born on Oct. 23, 1934, on his family’s farm in Mountain Grove, Mo.
Paul attended school until the eighth-grade, when he left school because his father passed away. He then went to work to provide and care for his mother and brother. He was proud to have farmed and worked at the Missouri Fruit Experiment Station. Seeking better opportunities and means to support his family, Paul moved to Davenport, Iowa, in the 1950s.
On June 23, 1956, he married Elsie Marie Peters in Davenport. The couple had four children: Steve, Mary, Donna and David. Paul worked for Alcoa in Davenport and received the “Zero Defect Award,” a big honor at the company. After more than 40 years at Alcoa, he retired in 1996. After retirement, Paul and Elsie built their dream winter home on the Dodson family farmstead, which has been in the family for more than 150 years. He loved animals including his cat, Little Grey, and enjoyed fishing, searching for morel mushrooms, watching wildlife, working on small engines, going to auctions, watching baseball, sharing stories about family history, and spending time with family. Most of all, he loved spending time with his wife, Elsie until she passed in 2019.
Those left to honor Paul’s memory are one daughter, Mary (Donnie) Lowe of Brighton; one son, Steve Dodson of Des Moines; grandchildren: Patrick (Tiffany) Dodson, Jessica (Erik) Lowe Vokes, Stacie Lowe and Catherine Ashton, Zachary Lowe, Michael (Ashley) Dodson, Bryan (Ashlee) Dodson and Ashley (Justin) McBurney; nine great-grandchildren: Elizabeth (Braden), Caden, Keadan, Kash, Kellen, Juliana, Hunter, Ryder and Raelynn; and special family friends, Benny and Pat Hyslope and Mr. & Mrs. Tracy Hill Family. Preceding Paul in death are his wife of 63 years, Elsie; his daughter, Donna Dodson; son, David Dodson; his parents; and three brothers.
Graveside services and burial will be at 11:45 a.m. Saturday, May 18, 2024, at Broyles Cemetery North of Norwood, Mo. Family will be on hand to greet guests prior to services from 10-11 a.m. at Elliott-Gentry-Carder Funeral Home in Cabool, Mo. Wallace Family Funeral Home in Newton is handling arrangements.
Memorials to Paul’s family may be sent to the family at PO Box 24, Brighton, Iowa 52540.
