Warren Ray Dodds

Warren Ray Dodds passed away on Thursday, June 25, 2026. He lived alone with a few rescue cats. Warren was born in Cass County, the third child of Giles and Eleanor (Thompson) Dodds, on December 16, 1942.

He attended Davis, Fey Davis and Hatfield Schools. He graduated from Rushville High School in 1960. Warren enlisted in the United States Air Force in October of 1961 and was discharged into the reserves on December 7, 1965. He served as team leader and was trained as a Nuclear Weapons Fusing Specialist.

He enrolled at Western Illinois University and began classes in 1966 and earned a Bachelors of Science in Industrial Arts Education in 1970. He taught high school classes at Pleasant Plains High School, West Central Area Vocational Center in Macomb, Jacksonville High School, and Beardstown High School, and often taught Machine Shop and Welding at various Junior College programs. He earned his Masters Degree in 1975. He retired from teaching in 2005 and was a member of the Illinois Retired Teachers Association.

Warren enlisted in the Illinois National Guard in 1972 as a munitions crew member. In 1981 he reentered active duty as the NCOIC of the Munitions and Missile section and entered the Retired Reserve in 1989.

Warren married Patsy Louise Surratt in July 1962, and they had three children who all survive: Terry Joe Dodds (Nancy) of Rushville, Timothy Lee Dodds (Cami) on the family farm, and Pamela June Dodds on the family farm. Patsy passed away in August of 2007. They have eight grandchildren Chelsea, Kaitlynn, Garrick, Alex, Hannah, Alexandra, Addie, and Marcus; and eight great grandchildren Lyric, Parker, Warren, Lucas, Angelo, Gloria, Nathan, and Gwen. One granddaughter, Nicole, passed away a few days after birth.

Warren married Gearline "Geri" Bigham, December 12, 2010. She lives in Vermont to be near her family where she enjoys caring for her great grandchildren, gardening, quilting, and caring for rescued animals. She was a constant companion when Warren needed help following a terrible accident on the farm.

Warren was preceded in death by his parents, his granddaughter Nichole Dodds, his oldest brother Philip Giles Dodds, with whom he attended college, and older sister Rosemary Ann McFalls, a younger brother Glen Arthur Dodds, and a younger sister Joy Elizabeth Root. Surviving siblings include the twins, John Dale Dodds (Carol) near Rushville and James Dennis Dodds (Phyllis) near Industry.

He was a lifetime member of Sugar Grove United Methodist Church, following the footprints of his ancestors. Over the years he served in many capacities including firing the furnace as a teen. He served twenty-five years on the board of directors of the Schuyler County Soil and Water Conservation District, serving as secretary and treasurer and as delegate to the annual conference. He served as a director on the Two Rivers RC&D council in Pittsfield and he served as a secretary on the District Board of the Culbertson Hospital for several years in the seventies. He was a member of the early group of the Schuyler Jaycees and served as chaplain. He was a member of the American Legion, State Post 29100, Bloomington, and was a life member of the disabled American Veterans and a member of National Rifle Association. He was a longtime member of the Schuyler County Farm Bureau.

A memorial service will be held at 11 AM Monday, June 29, 2026 at Colwell Memorial Home in Beardstown. Military Honors will be conducted at the memorial home after the memorial service. The family will meet with friends one hour prior to the services at the memorial home on Monday. Per Warren's request, cremation rites have been accorded and his ashes will be spread on the family farm at a later date.

Warren loved to give to all causes and always appreciated what St. Jude's stood for and did for children. Memorials have been suggested to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Condolences may be left online at www.colwellmemorialhome.com or on Facebook at Colwell Memorial Home.