James Glenn Dodson

James G. ‘Jim’ Dodson, 86, of Morgantown passed away on Monday, Nov. 20, 2017 at the J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital. Jim was the son of the late Luther S. and Maxie M. Dodson and grew up in Altoona, PA. A 1949 graduate of Altoona High School, he boxed as an amateur in in high school and joined the Allegheny Mountain Association division, of the Amateur Athletic Union. His boxing continued into his service in the United States Army from 1949 to 1950, when he placed 2nd in the All Alaskan Armed Services Golden Gloves Championship in 1950.

After serving four years in the Army, Jim worked in the plumbing trade and served his apprenticeship in Lewisburg, PA from 1953 to 1960. In September of 1960 Jim joined the Federal Bureau of Prisons, beginning his service at the National Training School in Washington, D.C. In 1968 he was transferred, with his family, to Morgantown, WV; one of the original cadres to staff the Robert F. Kennedy Youth Center, (now the FCI).

At the FCI, Jim worked as the Plumber Foremen and during his time there became very active with his union, the American Federation of Government Employees. He served in various positions with his local and upon his retirement from the FCI in 1981, Jim was offered a job by his Union. He became a National Representative for AFGE District 4 working that position for 13 years; serving the federal employees union in West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina. Jim also served as a Lay Speaker/Leader for many years at the Sabra United Methodist church. He has been in or through every state in the US including Alaska and Hawaii. Jim earned his Bachler of Arts from WVU in 1997.

Jim and Verdilla M. (Sower) Dodson celebrated 65 years of marriage on August 10, 2017. They were married August 10, 1952, at Christ’s Lutheran Church, in Milton, PA. The couple met as pen pals while Jim was in the Army and exchanged correspondence for nine months. They had their first date in January of 1952 when Jim rotated home on leave from Kodiak Island, Alaska where he was stationed. They were engaged two weeks later, on St Valentine’s Day.

Both Jim and Verdilla were active members of the Sabra UM Church for many years until illness made it impossible for them to attend. They have done extensive traveling in the US, and have been to Hawaii, Canada, and the British Isles.

In addition to his wife, Verdilla Sower Dodson, Jim is survived by his two daughters, Rebecca M. (Dodson) Arbogast and husband, Kevin, of Parkersburg, Carrie A. Dodson of Morgantown; grandchildren, Carla (Nicholson) Wheeler and husband Rodney, Carl David Nicholson, Amy (Arbogast) Frank and husband Jeff, George Nicholson and wife Pam Dalton; great grandchildren, Jadie Bee, Corey Metz, Jamie, Cody and Connor Nicholson, Katie and Randy Wheeler, Blake Eddy and Callie Frank; two great-great grandchildren, Justyn and Owen; daughter-in-law, Alice Dodson and one sister Doris Wilder of Denton, TX.

In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by one son, John L. Dodson; one granddaughter, Lori Dodson; son-in-law Roy Bate; two brothers and three sisters.

Friends may call at the Fred L. Jenkins Funeral Home on Friday, November 24, 2017 from 11am until time of services at 1pm with Craig Falkenstine officiating. Burial will follow at the Beverly Hills Memorial Gardens with military honors conducted by the Westover VFW Post 9916 and the WVANG, Camp Dawson.

Friday, November 24, 2017 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Fred L. Jenkins Funeral Home 10 S. High St. Morgantown, West Virginia 26501

Friday, November 24, 2017 1:00 PM

Fred L. Jenkins Funeral Home 10 S. High St. Morgantown, West Virginia 26501