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Tommy Dodson
Thomas Ray Dodson Jr. “Tommy” was received in the arms of the Lord on July 15, 2024. Tommy passed peacefully in his home with his wife Cristina and his six children by his side.
Tommy was born in Ludington, on January 12, 1968, the son of proud parents, Darlene (Mickevich) Dodson and Thomas Ray Dodson, Sr. He was the middle child. Tommy loved his older sister Brenda Dodson and younger brother Robert “Bobby” (Amanda) Dodson dearly. He graduated in 1986 from Mason County Eastern High School. Shortly after graduating high school, he joined the United States Marine Corps and was stationed at Camp LeJeune, North Carolina and Okinawa, Japan.
He was a devote Catholic and began his journey in faith at St Mary’s Catholic church in Custer. Later he joined Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Thomas Township. Tommy enjoyed hunting deer during riffle and bow season. He especially enjoyed sharing his hunting stories or showing his trophies to friends and family. He also enjoyed Sunday drives down dirt roads looking for deer, visiting friends and was the best neighbor always lending a hand when needed.
Tommy enjoyed a variety of music, singing, playing his guitars and going to music concerts. He would spend his spare time building guitars as a hobby. He also enjoyed cooking soup or spaghetti for his family and friends. He was very proud when he would make a meal just right and it would taste like his mom’s or grandmothers cooking. Tommy worked for Utility Contracting Company in Sparta and retired in 2021 when he was diagnosed with cancer.
Tommy and Crissy fell in love and committed to each other on October 13, 2006. They were the perfect match, both strong, stubborn, independent individuals who loved each other passionately and hated spending time apart. Shortly after, they purchased a home in Freeland, where they raised their children. In order of age Michael (Erin) Stever, Ryan (Mellissa) Dodson, Rachel (Brendan) Brown, Hunter (Sierra) Stever, Wyatt (Caitlyn Young) Rohr and Regan (Donavon) Louk. Tommy was very proud and loved each of them. Together they have 18 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Out of all his nicknames over the years “Grandpa Rooster Pants” was his favorite.
Tommy and Crissy were thankful to coparents Raymond/ Tonya (Melchert), Morgan and Sean Rohr as it takes a village to raise children.
Tommy will also be missed by his sister-in-law Debbie (Thomas) Bladzik, who he treasured dearly; many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and too many friends to mention them all.
A special thank you to Corewell Palliative Care and Hospice team (nurses Stacy and Paige and Steve Chaplain, you are amazing!); oncologist Dr. Alhyari, Grand Rapids; Reed City Cancer Center and all its staff; Dr. Mancini at BAMF along with its staff; Dr. Hussain, Saginaw.
To his beloved Marine Corps: Semper Fi, brothers.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 19, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Oak Grove Funeral Home of Ludington. Visitation begins at 10 a.m. at the funeral home.
An additional celebration of life will be held on Friday, July 19, at 6 p.m. at another relative’s home. Please reach out to the family on the location of this.
In memory of Tommy, please consider doing a good deed for someone else.
Arrangements were entrusted to Oak Grove Funeral Home of Ludington, www.OakGroveLudington.com.
