Robert Ira Dodge was born March 8, 1933 in Freemont, Nebraska to Myrtle and Herbert Dodge. He passed away November 15, 2010 at Elk City, Oklahoma at the age of 77 years, 8 months and 7 days.
Robert grew up in Euroka, Kansas area where he attended school. In December of 1951 he joined the United States Marine Corps. After boot camp he was deployed to Korea where he spent a year of active duty, and was deployed with the reconnaissance unit during the Cuban Missle Conflct. In 1963, while in the Marines, he experienced a parachute malfunction and fell 1000 ft. in 13 seconds breaking both of his legs. In 1965 after his accident, he was deployed to Viet Nam where he served 3 tours of duty. At his discharge in 1971, Robert was a Gunnery Sergeant and had received 3 Purple Heart Medals, a Bronze Star and the rare Vietnamese Cross. When he returned home he met Bonnie Lou Thompson and they moved to Colburn, Colorado where they owned and operated R&D Outfitters. They were united in marriage at Silver City, New Mexico on December 30, 1981. After their marriage, they started a guide and outfitting service which took them eventually to White Mountains with the Apache tribe in Globe, Arizona. In 1988, they moved to Yuma, Arizona where they managed a RV park and was lured to Eureka, California for their management skills in the recreation and travel industry. After moving back to Colorado in 1991 they were invited to Cheyenne where some of Robert’s friends promised some of the best hunting in the world, and in 2006 they moved to Cheyenne to make their home. Robert, being 100 percent disabled veteran, was an active member of the VFW, National Rifle Association, Colorado Trappers Association and the Retired Enlisted Association.
He was preceded in death by his parents and 2 brothers.
He is survived by his wife, Bonnie, of the home; 5 step children, Terralende Nichols and husband, William, Arlington, Texas, Wyatt Hulton and wife, Chrys, Potterloo, Iowa, Wendy Caldwell and husband, Logan, Orland, Florida, Judy Hewett and husband, Ken, Mayo, Florida, and Janice Barton and husband, Bill, Cleburne, Texas; 11 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; special friends, Steve Musick and wife, Eileen, Cheyenne, Oklahoma and a host of other relatives and friends.
A Memorial service will be held 2:00 PM, Thursday, November 18, 2010 at the Rose Chapel in Sayre, Oklahoma with Andy Taylor officiating and Steve Musick assisting. Services will be under the direction of Rose Chapel Funeral Service. Condolences can be made online at www.whineryfs.com
Cheyenne Star, Cheyenne, OK 18NOV2010
Dodge, Robert Ira
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