Jack Dodge

Elmer "Jack" Dodge, 85. passed away peacefully and unexpectedly at home on June 7, 2021.

He was born in Geneva on October 29, 1935 the son of Elmer and Edith (Cook) Dodge, Sr.

While Jack was proud to serve his country from 1953 to 1956 in the US Army he was also proud to be a member of the Teamsters Union for 35 years.

He enjoyed fishing and racing. He would race anything that had a motor in it; but it was the fun he had with his family that made his hobbies most enjoyable. His life revolved around the love he had for his children and grandchildren and the love and happiness they brought to his life.

He is survived by his loving family: his children: Jackie (Tammy Mielnik) of Florida, Dale A. Dodge Sr. of Geneva and Lisa (Rafael) Urioste of Colorado; his grandchildren: Britnie, Brandi, Beth Ann, Eric, Dale Jr., Donnie "DJ", Hannah, David, Christopher, Eric, Isabella, Diego, Olivia and Tylar, many great-grandchildren and his sister Mildred (Robert) Tyler.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter Debbra Darlene McCallister; his sisters: Marjorie, Dorothy, Barbara, Jean and Wanda and his bothers: Albert, Harold, Richard and Eugene.

Eulogy

2,701,555,200 Seconds (Two Billion, seven hundred and one million, five hundred and fifty-five thousand, two hundred seconds)
31,268 Days (Thirty-one thousand two hundred sixty-eight days)
85 Years 7 Months, 1 week and two days
This is the amount of time that Jack, an extraordinary man, who acted like an ordinary man was here on earth. A man who touched the lives of so many. A son, a brother, a husband, an uncle, a father, a grandfather, a great-grandfather, a friend, and a mentor.
How do you measure a year in a life?
Jack was a hardworking man, a man who gave generously and only wanted simple respect in turn. He was man who was solid in his word and expected the same. He loved fiercely and had a strong almost lumberjack exterior. His soft sentimental side was not something you would always see but was a major part of who he was. He would often write letters to his grandchildren and always sign them… Love You Honey. When he gave you his time, he was all in. Time was a gift he has given to each one of us. Maybe sharing a cup of coffee & reminiscing about old times, maybe a trip up to Honeybees or Best Friend’s, maybe he drove out to visit you. Maybe a simple act of leaving two LifeSavers on the table before he left. He made it a point to be there. He showed up. He was always a phone call or just a visit away and his door was always open.
How do you measure a year in a life?
His passion was racing, and he loved to share that with others. From bike racing with his son, to car racing with his grandson, to stock car racing and dirt track racing with his daughters and friends. If you were in his life, he would go racing with you.
How do you measure a year in a life?
You see… the gift of time accumulates slowly over the years, taking shape over the steady gift of attention and devotion. Being a father was a craft he worked on relentlessly. It was a talent he chose to cultivate. What a reminder that we are all works in progress and showing up is just half the battle.
I’d like to share a poem by Shel Silverstein titled The Clock Man,
“How much will you pay for an extra day?” The clock man asked the child.
“Not one penny.” The answer came. “For my days are as many as smiles.”
“How much will you pay for an extra day?” He asked when the child was grown.
“Maybe a dollar or maybe less, for I’ve plenty days of my own.”
“How much will you pay for an extra day?” He asked when the time came to die.
“All of the pearls in all of seas, and all of the stars in the sky.”

So, ask yourself… How you measure a year in your life?
Spend more time with your children, your parents, those you love. Spend the time and be intentional. Do the things… don’t wait.

Butterflies live their lives being completely ordinary. And then. One day, the unexpected happens. They burst from their cocoons in a blaze of colors and become utterly extraordinary. It is the shortest phase of their lives, but it holds the greatest importance. It shows how empowering change can be.
Love is like a Butterfly, beautiful and delicate…if you truly care for it, you’ll do whatever you can to make it happy, even if that means letting it go.