Obituary for Ralph T. Dodge
On December 20, 2020 Ralph T. Dodge, age 95, of Battle Creek, Michigan went into the loving arms of his Lord. Born on November 13, 1925 in Auburn, New York, he was the second of 4 children born to Rev. Leroy K. Dodge and Jennie C. (Tedford) Dodge.
Ralph grew up excelling in academics and sports. Upon graduating from high school in 1943, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He served as a radio operator in the western and southern Pacific rising to the rank of Sergeant. Upon discharge at the close of WW2, Ralph enrolled at Brockport State Teachers College where he majored in Health and Physical Education and later obtained his Master’s Degree.
The next 30 years were spent in education and raising a family with his wife Dorothy. 25 of those years were spent teaching and coaching in public schools in New York State. Places taught included Rochester, Long Island, Latham, and Castile where he established a winning tradition as head coach of the swimming and track teams.
Another 5 years were spent teaching at Evangel College (now Evangel University), in Springfield, Missouri. These years also included the death of son David from complications related to being a kidney transplant and acquiring leukemia. Following retirement from teaching, the next 28 years saw several moves including one to Battle Creek, Michigan before returning to Springfield, Missouri in the 90’s. There they served many Sunday dinners, attended functions, and supported in whatever way was needed as 4 of their grandchildren attended Evangel over the next decade.
In 2008, Ralph and Dorothy returned to Battle Creek to be near their son Dan and family and eventually taking up residence at the Heritage Assisted Living. Tragedy again struck with the death of son Randy and his wife Paula in the 2018 Paradise, California fires. His wife of 69 years was buried on their 70th wedding anniversary in July, 2019.
Ralph’s legacy can be summed up by saying “he walked the talk”. He loved his Lord and he lived a life that reflected that love. He spent his last years being grateful, watching sports on television, and reading God’s Word. His smile never dimmed. He was many things … husband, father, grandfather, teacher, coach, and mentor and all of those roles were carried out as a faithful servant of God.
Ralph is survived by his son: Daniel (Jodi) Dodge; daughters: Rindy (Bruce) Homer, Newfoundland, Canada, Deanna (Art) Fritz, California; brother: Leroy K. Dodge, Jr. (“Jun”); sisters-in-law: Helen (“Judy”) Rhinehart and Marian (Jim) Burke; brother-in-law: Rev. Louis Caruana; 7 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren all whom he greatly cherished. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife: Dorothy C. (Thuline) Dodge; sons: David and Randall (wife, Paula) Dodge; great-grandson: J.T. Homer; sisters: Lillian (husband, Freeman) and Ruth Caruana; sister-in-law: Norma Dodge; parents-in-law: Winfred and Evangeline (Crockett) Thuline; brother-in-law; Horace (wife, Blanche) Thuline and Rupert Rhinehart.
Semper– Fi.
Due to concerns with Covid-19, there will be no visitation or public funeral. Please visit the Baxter Funeral &
Cremation Service website for a tribute to Ralph’s life. Your comments and memories would be most appreciated. Interment will take place Mon., 12/28, with limited friends and family at the Fort Custer National Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Royal Family KIDS, 3000 W MacArthur Blvd Ste. 412, Santa Ana, CA 92704
(https://rfk.org/mission-values-vision/).
Arrangements by the Baxter Funeral & Cremation Service. 269-788-9800. www.baxterfuneral.com
Ralph grew up excelling in academics and sports. Upon graduating from high school in 1943, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He served as a radio operator in the western and southern Pacific rising to the rank of Sergeant. Upon discharge at the close of WW2, Ralph enrolled at Brockport State Teachers College where he majored in Health and Physical Education and later obtained his Master’s Degree.
The next 30 years were spent in education and raising a family with his wife Dorothy. 25 of those years were spent teaching and coaching in public schools in New York State. Places taught included Rochester, Long Island, Latham, and Castile where he established a winning tradition as head coach of the swimming and track teams.
Another 5 years were spent teaching at Evangel College (now Evangel University), in Springfield, Missouri. These years also included the death of son David from complications related to being a kidney transplant and acquiring leukemia. Following retirement from teaching, the next 28 years saw several moves including one to Battle Creek, Michigan before returning to Springfield, Missouri in the 90’s. There they served many Sunday dinners, attended functions, and supported in whatever way was needed as 4 of their grandchildren attended Evangel over the next decade.
In 2008, Ralph and Dorothy returned to Battle Creek to be near their son Dan and family and eventually taking up residence at the Heritage Assisted Living. Tragedy again struck with the death of son Randy and his wife Paula in the 2018 Paradise, California fires. His wife of 69 years was buried on their 70th wedding anniversary in July, 2019.
Ralph’s legacy can be summed up by saying “he walked the talk”. He loved his Lord and he lived a life that reflected that love. He spent his last years being grateful, watching sports on television, and reading God’s Word. His smile never dimmed. He was many things … husband, father, grandfather, teacher, coach, and mentor and all of those roles were carried out as a faithful servant of God.
Ralph is survived by his son: Daniel (Jodi) Dodge; daughters: Rindy (Bruce) Homer, Newfoundland, Canada, Deanna (Art) Fritz, California; brother: Leroy K. Dodge, Jr. (“Jun”); sisters-in-law: Helen (“Judy”) Rhinehart and Marian (Jim) Burke; brother-in-law: Rev. Louis Caruana; 7 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren all whom he greatly cherished. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife: Dorothy C. (Thuline) Dodge; sons: David and Randall (wife, Paula) Dodge; great-grandson: J.T. Homer; sisters: Lillian (husband, Freeman) and Ruth Caruana; sister-in-law: Norma Dodge; parents-in-law: Winfred and Evangeline (Crockett) Thuline; brother-in-law; Horace (wife, Blanche) Thuline and Rupert Rhinehart.
Semper– Fi.
Due to concerns with Covid-19, there will be no visitation or public funeral. Please visit the Baxter Funeral &
Cremation Service website for a tribute to Ralph’s life. Your comments and memories would be most appreciated. Interment will take place Mon., 12/28, with limited friends and family at the Fort Custer National Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Royal Family KIDS, 3000 W MacArthur Blvd Ste. 412, Santa Ana, CA 92704
(https://rfk.org/mission-values-vision/).
Arrangements by the Baxter Funeral & Cremation Service. 269-788-9800. www.baxterfuneral.com