James Earl Dodson was born May 19th 1951, 3:24 am at Byrne Memorial Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma to James Robert Clayborne Dodson and Alberta Lucille Spain. He was the 5th of 7 children born to his parents.

Jim was a Tulsan, born and raised, attending McKinley Elementary, Hamilton Junior High and Will Rogers High School class of 1969.

He started working as a child sweeping floors at a shop near his house. He always had a strong work ethic. In high school he worked for Sipes Grocery and saved up enough money to buy, what his loved ones would consider his first child, a 1968 Camero.

After graduation, knowing he was likely to face being drafted, Jim enlisted in the Army August 29th 1969.

He served two tours in Vietnam, reenlisting for his 2nd Tour on July 4th 1970, for a period of 3 years.

During his time in Vietnam, Jim sent many letters home to family and friends. One of them being his friend's sister and his former Junior High Classmate Patricia Cooper. Jim came home from Vietnam Christmas of 1970. Waiting for him at the airport was his family and Patricia.

Two weeks after his arrival home, he married the love of his life, Patricia Ann Cooper, at the age of 19 on January 15, 1971. This year they celebrated their 52nd Wedding Anniversary.

Jim claimed for many years that he had loved Patricia since their days at Hamilton jr. High.

After their wedding they moved to Reichenbach, Germany for 2 1/2 years where Jim completed his service and met many life long friends that both him and Patricia considered family.

After Germany Jim and Patty lived briefly in Sherman, Texas; Lake Crystal, Minnesota; Mankato, Minnesota and Cleveland, Oklahoma before settling down in Tulsa for the rest of their lives.

In 1983 Jim and Patty had a son, James Robert Dodson

And in 1986 they had a Daughter, Jentry Marie Dodson.

Their children continued the legacy of bringing love and joy into the family by adding a Daughter in law Briannah Marie Kalousek and a Son in law Adam Chase Moore. The "In law" attached to their titles would be considered an inappropriate addition to Jim, he lovingly considered Briannah a Daughter and Adam a Son.

In more recent years, the biggest success Jim had was being a "Bopa", a grandfather to Carter James Earl Dodson, Henry Arthur Everett Dodson, Jude Elliott Chase Dodson and Everly Rose Marie Dodson.

His four grandchildren, aside from Patricia, were the loves of his life. In Jim's eyes, Carter, Henry, Jude and Everly were the Smartest, Kindest, Funniest, Strongest and most Creative people who ever lived. He loved them more than life itself.

Jim's favorite hobbies were St. Louis Cardinals Baseball, collecting baseball cards, Fishing, listening to Music and watching obscure movies.

The world has lost a Strong, Tender Hearted Warrior with an amazing and often inappropriate sense of humor.

He is preceded in death by his Father, Mother, Three Brothers, a sister and many friends and battle brothers.

He is survived by his love Patricia, Son James (Wife Briannah), Daughter Jentry (Husband Adam), Four Grandchildren Carter, Henry, Jude and Everly and two Sisters Sandra Rainwater of Cape Fair, Missouri and Cathy Swee of Ocala, Florida.