Mansfield, TX – Gary Wayne Dodson died peacefully, on February 2, 2022 in Mansfield. He was born on January 7, 1949 in Tulsa Oklahoma.
Predeceased by his Father Francis in 1984, his Mother Benita in 2012. Gary is survived by his spouse Sherry Dodson and brother Mike Dodson. His daughter Annette Dubbs, his son Jeffrey Wayne Dodson and spouse Suzanna Dodson. His grandchildren; Taylor Lesley and spouse Stephen Lesley, Sydney Dodson, Riley Dubbs, Mauren Dodson and Amelia Dodson. He will be missed by his family and friends.
Gary grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was baptized at 8 years old in the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS). After graduating high school he attended Oklahoma State University, where he studied accounting. His love and passion for Oklahoma State lasted his entire life. He never wasted an opportunity when he saw or met a fellow alumni to say “Go Pokes”. Gary met Sherry on a blind date that his brother set them up on when Sherry and Mike worked together. Gary and Sherry were married on June 16, 1972 in Tulsa Oklahoma. Annette was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Jeffrey was born in Houston, TX. Gary took a transfer to Scotland from Houston in 1976. It was in Scotland that Gary attended both the RLDS and LDS church. In 1978 Gary went under full-time church appointment as Bishop for the RLDS church, where he would spend 34 years as a servant of the Lord blessing and enriching others through service, Christ like example and devotion to the study of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He took his first formal assignment in 1979 in the St. Louis area. There he spent 22 years in ministry of those members. He left a lasting memory of stewardship and dedicated hard work as a servant of Jesus Christ. In 1998 Gary and Sherry moved to Independence, MO where he would step down from his ecclesiastical responsibilities and continued working for the RLDS church in a Finance and Accounting capacity. As a long-time investigator of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, he began to attend in 1999 after Jeffrey and his wife Suzanna moved to Independence. In 2012 Gary formally retired and moved to Mansfield, TX, where Jeffrey and Suzanna and their children lived. Gary and Sherry were again baptized in August 2019 in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. As he spent his entire life in discipleship Gary blessed the lives of many through service and friendship while he lived in Mansfield. Gary’s greatest pleasures in life were his faith, family, fishing and his passion for Oklahoma State Sports. He leaves a legacy of service, stewardship and stalwart faith. He will be missed and his memory lives on as an example for all of those who pledge their lives to the work of the Lord and our Savior Jesus Christ. May his soul rest in peace and his spirit live on in eternity as he continues to serve.
A memorial service and celebration of Gary’s life will be held at the Arlington, TX Stake Center on February 11, 2022 and simulcast via zoom.
For those interested in donations, they may be made to the Alvarado Helping Hands for Jesus, 404 N. Parkway Alvarado, TX in his memory. https://www.alvaradohelpinghands.com/
LONYA NORTHCUTT
Simply a blessing and joy to be around. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to be introduced to a loving humanbeing. Just grateful…
Andi Thorpe
Gary was a great friend to us. We meet him years ago when they still lived in Missouri. So thrilled when they moved to Mansfield and we got to go to dinner every week with them. He had a great wit that kept me on my toes. Always had me laughing. He was always serving others. I never heard him complain. Miss you.
Phil and Jackie Hogue
We were so saddened about Gary’s death. He was a spiritual giant for so many carrying the love and humor of Christ with him always. He leaves a hole in so many hearts. Love and prayers for all the family.
Larry and Sharon Norris
Gary is the best friend you could have. He went the extra mile and much of what he offered in service few knew about. We are so sad that he is not with us and his family any longer but his unique and special ministries continue in a new and precious place. He is unforgettable 🙏🙏❤️❤️
Christy Hubbard (Johnston)
Gary Wayne will be severely missed by our family. We have so many wonderful memories with you in Columbia, St. Peters, Colorado, and at Camp Woodland Hills. We love the sense of family we had with yours growing up. I’ll always remember Gary’s white t-shirt and jeans with penny loafer wardrobe and never wavering from who he was and what he stood for.
We are sending you prayers of love and comfort from our family to yours.
Diana
Rest Now In The Arms Of Jesus🙏🏼
Carol & Tom Stringer
We will miss all the times Gary spent on our deck at the lake in rain or shine in heat or cold…
Gary and Sherry are truly very special in our lives and will continue to keep them both close to our hearts.
Love and prayers to family and friends.
Patti Smith
I am glad to have known Gary during my youth and midlife years, to have been inspired by such a hard-working person of highest integrity. He will be greatly missed.
Matthew Britt
My sympathies to Gary’s family. He was a good man and a good teacher of Stewardship principles.
Cathy Porter
Sherry, Annette and Jeffrey. My name is Cathy Porter and I am the daughter of Ellery and Oneda Alley from St. Louis. I have such fond memories of Gary when he was the Bishop of St Louis Stake. He was such a kind, thoughtful man and helped so many with their finances. I know that my parents and my Aunt Elde thought a lot of Gary. May God give you comfort and may you hold fast to the memories you’ve made together.
Chris Franzoso & Mercedes Salvador-Silva
We are so sorry for the loss of Gary. We were neighbors since 2015 with Gary and Sherry living four houses from us. We would always wave as we went by. Gary sitting in his lawn chair soaking up the sun in his shorts, no matter how cold it was. His lawn is perfect thanks to the care he put into it. Best lawn in the neighborhood, and always willing to help out with mowing or trimming. He will be missed
Chris Ober
My family and I have fond memories of Gary and his son attending our mission center family camps. I will always be so grateful to Gary for the sound financial advise he provided as the auditor for our mission center and campground. He will be missed.
John Billings
Dear Sherry and family,
It is with a sad heart that I share my sympathies with you. My God’s spirit of love and compassion touch each of you and may God’s spirit bring you peace. Gary was a wonderful man of integrity and deep faith. His humor and quick wit was a joy to experience. My heartfelt prayers are with you and may the treasure of beautiful memories that have in your heart sustain you in the coming days.
Larry McGuire
Dear Sherry and family,
I join others in sharing with you love and prayers in your loss. Gary’s life and ministry guided and blessed countless people, including me, with his faithful witness of Jesus Christ and the joy of life-long stewardship.
He provided wise counsel and I am grateful for his wisdom and friendship. He even tolerated my love for the University of Michigan and I came to appreciate his love for Oklahoma State!
Continued blessings of the Peace of Jesus Christ as you grieve, remember, and celebrate his life as a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ.