Dean Roy Dodge, Sr.

Dean R. Dodge, Sr., 83, of Callaway, Nebraska, passed away, Thursday, August 7, 2014, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. Dean was born December 1, 1930, in Lexington, Nebraska, to Ernest and Rose (Sladky) Dodge, Sr. He attended school at Callaway and then two years at Milford Vocational Technical College. On February 5, 1951, he married Geraldine “Gerry” Relph at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Callaway. Soon after, he was drafted into the United States Army, which took the couple to Fort Hood, Texas where they lived for two years. Following his honorable discharge as a Corporal, the couple moved back to Callaway then to Kimball. He worked as a diesel mechanic and farm/ranch hand. The couple returned to Callaway in 1968. Dean delivered propane and then fertilizer for COOP, and worked on appliances. His great love was woodworking and made many things for his family as well as helping build and remodel several structures in Callaway. He could build or fix almost anything. Following his retirement, if you could call it that, he helped local farmers with planting and harvesting. Dean was a member of the Callaway Fire and Rescue Departments and attained his EMT certification. He was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, VFW, and NRA. He had a great sense of humor, could find a joke or story to tell to almost anyone, loved going to the Casino, and keeping busy with his woodworking. He will be dearly missed. Dean is survived by three sons and two daughters; Dean, Jr. and Sue Dodge of Fort Worth, Texas; Jim and Karen Dodge of Callaway, Nebraska; Mike and Debi Dodge of Fargo, North Dakota; Kathy and Pepper Dotson of North Platte, Nebraska; and, Bev and Rich Andre of Ogallala, Nebraska; special friend; Iris Anderson of Callaway, Nebraska; two brothers, Garry and Karen Dodge of North Platte, Nebraska, and Dr. Terry and Vicki Dodge of South Carolina; three sisters; Wilma and Kenny Thomas of Kansas; Evelyn Miller of Gothenburg, Nebraska; and, Elaine Nelson of Callaway, Nebraska; twenty-seven grandchildren, thirty-eight great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren; also surviving are many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Dean was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Gerry; and three brothers, Ernie, Wayne and Larry. Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, August 15 2014, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Callaway with Father Thomas Gudipalli officiating. Rosary will be recited on Thursday, August 14, 2014, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Boniface Catholic Church. Burial will be held at 2:00 p.m. at Fort McPherson National Cemetery at Maxwell, Nebraska with full military honors. Memorials are suggested to the Dodge Family for distribution to Dean’s favorite charities. Timm-Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Callaway is assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family through: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.