Resident of Santa Clara It is with sorrow that we share the passing of Joseph Allen Dodson III, 77, from complications of Parkinson’s disease. He slipped away in his sleep with family at his side. Born on June 30, 1947, at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, to Joseph and Nancy Dodson, Joe lived arich and full life shaped by his love of family, his devotion to duty, and his passion for the things he held dear.
As the son of a naval officer, Joe’s early years were marked by a sense of adventure. He spent his childhood in diverse locations, including Maryland, the Philippines, Texas, and Colorado. After graduating from high school, Joe attended the University of Colorado at Boulder. He became an avid skier and particularly enjoyed taking advantage of the wonderful location. He earned a bachelor’s degree before following in his father’s footsteps in the Navy.
Joe became an officer in the United States Navy and spent two years aboard the USS Oklahoma during the Vietnam War. Following his military service, he returned to the University of Colorado, where he earned an MBA and met his future wife, Judy. Both liked playing bridge.
They became solid bridge partners, then partners for life. The lovers eloped to Las Vegas and married in 1974.
Joe and Judy moved to Virginia where Joe began his career as a civil servant. In Virginia they started their family, welcoming their first daughter, Emily. They later moved back to Colorado, where their second daughter, Diana, was born. The family eventually settled in California, where Joe transitioned to private industry, serving as a chief financial officer, controller, and contract manager over a successful career. Joe loved spending time with his family. He enjoyed taking them to restaurants and the beach, watching sports, listening to music, and swimming.
After retiring, Joe embraced his passions with characteristic enthusiasm. Always a music lover, he devoted hours to listening to music old and new. He also enjoyed playing bridge, monitoring the stock market, and swimming.
He approached even the mundane tasks of life, like filing taxes, with a level of care and dedication that reflected his disciplined nature. Above all, Joe cherished time spent with his family.
Joe will be remembered for his unwavering love and loyalty to his family and his generous spirit toward those in need. His legacy lives on through his daughters, Emily and Diana; his son-in-law, Shawn; his grandson Silas; his brother, Phil; siblings-in-law Nancy Ross, Nancy Rucker, David, William, and Ely; and their children, Joseph, Phil, Lee, Peter, Greg, Melissa, Jules, William, and Nico.
Joe’s family finds comfort in knowing he is at peace, free from the challenges of Parkinson’s, and reunited with Judy, who preceded him in death. His faithfulness and generosity leave an indelible mark on those who knew and loved him.
A private service will be held to honor Joe’s life and legacy. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Swim Across America, a charity very near and dear to him due to his brother Phil’s fundraising work through his swimming. Please donate on Phil Dodson’s personal page (all proceeds go to Swim Across America’s fundraisingforcancerresearch)athttps://www.swimacrossa merica.org/site/TR/OpenWater/Chicago?px=1016137&pg= personal&fr_id=7117 Rest in peace, Joe. Your love and devotion will remain in our hearts forever.