James Carl Dodge passed away peacefully in the arms of Jesus, September 26, 2020, while on Hospice in the Residential Living at Holy Rosary.
He was born April 9, 1932 to Carl and Cecil (Martin) Dodge. He joined his sister, Jean, who was just 18 months older. Ten years later they were surprised with a baby sister, Wilma. They all lived south of Miles City where their father had homesteaded.
Jim was a horseman from an early age. He spent many days and nights in the hills of “the place” herding sheep, this is where he found his love for books. After living in town so Jim could finish school he decided after 8th grade that he had better things to do. The only thing Jim ever wanted to do with his life is to be a cowboy and school seemed to get in the way of that dream. After he moved back to the place, he went to work for the neighbors, the Tonn brothers. While working for the Tonns, Jim and Helder became close. Later, he heard that Helder and Virginia considered him a son.
Jim Joined the Army in 1954 and was honorably discharged in 1956. While stationed overseas instead of coming home on leave he toured Europe. His favorite was horseback riding through Italy. When he came home, he resumed working for the Tonn’s. While roofing the Monte School south of town, Jim met the new teacher Cynda Douglas. They were married in July of 1959. From this union came Kelly Jo in 1966 and later Alan.
In 1964, Jim started work for Hunt Oil Co. on the Tongue River as a ranch hand on the Ball Ranch. He managed it from 1968 until his retirement in 1991. Jim had many interests that came easily. He was a great reader. Will James and BM Bower were a couple of his favorite authors because “they knew what they were writing about”. He studied hard and got his commercial pilots license. He loved flying his super cubs. He flew his plane for the sheer love of flying. His favorite times in the plane where hunting coyotes with Dick Flowers. The stories they would tell! Jim loved animals; horses, kittens, and lambs would melt his heart. It was always a guess which came first. Jim would take Kelly to the Ray Hunt horse clinics. Riding horses together was their bonding time. Jim also jump started Alan’s love for mechanics and the 2nd Amendment.
In 1991, he moved to the homestead. He lived there till a severe injury forced him to need extra help. While living with Alan and his family he became very close to his grandkids. He missed his independence of course, but made the best of it, by keeping up on the news and watching his kindle.
We had heard many times, and knew Jim was a man of few words, but when he spoke, people listened. He taught us how to persevere when the chips were down. His faith in the Lord got him through his trials. He will be missed, and we are comforted by the fact, he is in Heaven with his loved ones.
He was proceeded in death by his parents Carl and Cecil, his little sister, Wilma and brother-in-law, Willis Moline. He is survived by his daughter, Kelly Jo; son, Alan (Angie), grandchildren, Tyler James and Kylie Lynn; his older sister Jean; his nieces: Kristy, Thea and his nephew Kurt; sister-in-law, Shirley Cudney and niece, Paula Cudney.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
1:00 PM
Friday October 23, 2020
Livingway Fellowship
(Four Square Church)
708 Missouri Avenue, Miles City, MT 59301
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
1:00 PM
Friday October 23, 2020
Livingway Fellowship
(Four Square Church)
708 Missouri Avenue, Miles City, MT 59301
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Vern and Carolyn May says
Kelly and Allan,
So sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. May God give you comfort during this time and in the days ahead.
Walter White says
Kelly and Allen,
Sorry to hear of Jim”s death. Y’all were vey good neighbors and my Dad always thought very high of Jim.
Jackie Stroh says
Kelly and family it was a pleasure taking care of your dad these past few months he’s finally at peace
! Condolences to you and your family Love Jackie
Tammy Pecha says
So sorry for your loss ,your in my thoughts and prayers.
Mark and Judy Bloxham says
Kelly and Alan,
Your dad was a good friend and neighbor to our family when we all lived on the Tongue River. My dad always enjoyed visiting with him and got a kick out of the stories of him and Dick Flowers hunting coyotes from his plane. He was lucky to have his family take such good care of him in the past few years. He was a good friend and will be missed by many.
Jonette Doeden says
Kelly, Alan, Angy, and kids,
I’m sorry for your loss. God Bless you all💕
Kelsey Falcon says
Kelly and Alan
I’m so sorry for your loss of Jim. He was the most sweetest man and it was an honor to care for him. I’ll hold those memories dearly and always think of how he made me smile when we sat there and talk about rodeo or when we would talk and think about what Kelly was up to now. He would always say “she’s always busy doing something.” One dear memory was when I walked into the room and he looked at me and said “ Well hi apple pie”. He gave me such a good laugh and I’ll always cherish those moments with him. May god welcome him with open arms
Barb Seibert says
Kelly and family i am so very sorry for your loss. I am thinking of you.
Jim & Cathy Bastian says
Alan, Angie, Kelly and family, we are so sorry! I know that you all were so blessed to have your dad! What memories you made! Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Hugs to you all!
Jennifer lesh says
Kelly and family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Kelly, thank you for taking such good care of dad years ago. Call mom or I if you need anything
Rick and Dee Abbott says
Kelly and family: We were saddened to learn of your Dad’s passing. You have our sincerest sympathies.
Laura Lee (Blankenship) Kalloch Beeler says
Dodge Family(s): I am so saddened to hear of your Dad’s passing. Having lost my own amazing father 22 years ago, I can well-understand the depth of your loss. My most sincere deepest condolences to your entire family.
Teal Dobie says
Kelly and Family, my thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time. Thank you for trusting in us to care for Jim during his last few months, he was a special guy. Hugs♡
Mick and Cheryl Melin says
Kelly, Alan and family,
Such good memories we have of your Dad as our neighbor on the Tongue River. Can still hear his plane early in the morning as he flew over, always tipping a wing. We loved his stories, his gentle ways, and his willingness to always help. How lucky he was to have his loving and caring family to take care of him. Cherish your memories! Fly high Jim.
Jean Trask Brown says
Kelly, My sympathy in the loss of your Dad. I didn’t know him but he must have been a good man to have raised such a good and caring daughter like you. I will always appreciate what you did for us, you are one of a kind.
Lance says
Good bye my friend. Best wishes to the family.
Darbie Karch says
So sorry for your loss. Keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers.
Nancy Denowh says
Kelly,
So sorry to see the passing of your dad. I didn’t know him personally but I know you talked a lot about him and he was very special to you and Alan. Hugs and prayers for you and your family.
Laura Sevier says
Kelly, Alan, & Family
So sorry about the loss of your loved one. MY thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time in your lives. Cherish the happy memories you had of spending time with your loved one. He will always live in your hearts.
Marty and Jeanette O'Dea says
Kelly and Alan and family, Our deepest sympathy at your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers
TJ and Wade Olson says
Kelly, Alan and Family,
So very sorry to hear of Jim’s passing…. we shared many great memories while neighboring the Ball Ranch and sharing help. Let us know if we can help in any way…
Tom & Carla Herzog says
Thoughts and prayers extended to you, Kelly and the rest of your family. May the Lord bless you.
Troy and Dolly Ferris says
Dear Kelly,Alan,and family,
We are so sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. You are in our prayers.
Cathy Pyle says
I’m so sorry to hear Jim passed even tho he was ready its still such a hard time! I truly enjoyed taking care of him on the MedSurg and Swing Bed floor. He was such a nice nice man, never once did he complain. Your all in my thoughts and prayers!!
Sincerely Cathy Pyle
Cindy Berg says
Kelly, Alan and family,
So sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. Thoughts and prayers are with you all at this very difficult time.
Hold on to those wonderful memories, may they bring you peace in the days ahead. God bless.
Charlotte Miller says
Kelly, Alan and Family, So sorry to hear about your Dad’s passing. We have been down that road recently, it is never easy to say good-bye to our parents. Our folks had lots of history together as neighbors on Tongue River whether it was at brandings, shipping or in the hay field. Many good times to remember them by. All my sympathy.
Sharon (Hughes) Kauffman says
We are so sorry for your loss, and our thoughts and prayers are with you during this hard time. Just a few thoughts and memories of your dad and mom. We were neighbors to the Helder Tonn family directly to the north, and your mom was my fourth grade teacher for the 1958-1959 school year. She and her families of white rats (😋) roomed in our home during that year. For some odd reason, your dad showed up at our door quite frequently. Shortly after they were married in 1959, my dad, Scott Hughes, helped them to purchase a small ranch on the Yellowstone River just south of Park City, where they resides for probably 3 or 4 years before eventually moving back to the Miles City area. Though I have never met either of you, his children, when my dad was dying in 2001, Kelly, you would meet some of our family at the Tongue River turnoff and deliver meds and supplies that we needed to care for him.
Gunnares says
We are so sorry for your loss and so sorry we did not recognize you this last weekend in Glendive. The Ashland days are fond memories for us and we reminisced as we drove back into Miles City on the basketball trip and staying at the Red Rock motel. May the good memories bless you each day.
Preston L. Willson says
Allen and Kelly, I’m sorry I’m not going to be able to attend Jim’s service. Because of the storm we have to work cattle. I always enjoyed visiting with Jim he had that understated sense of humor. He is missed rest in peace my friend Preston Willson