Cecil Dodson

Cecil Calvert Dodson, Jr. died at his home, surrounded by his family on December 25, 2009, after a prolonged illness. He was 76. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, December 29 at 2:00PM at East Lake United Methodist Church with Reverend Sally Allocca and Dr. Bill Morgan officiating. The family will receive friends in the church parlor immediately following the service. Private graveside services will be held at Jefferson Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to East Lake United Methodist Church, 7753 First Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35206; Alzheimer's Of Central Alabama, P.O. Box 2273, Birmingham, AL, 35201, or Big Oak Ranch, P.O. 507, Springville, AL 35146. Mr. Dodson was born on December 26, 1932 in Cullman, Alabama and was the only child of the late Mr. Cecil Calvert Dodson, Sr. and Viva Chance Dodson. Mr. Dodson moved with his parents to Birmingham in 1936. He attended Birmingham public schools and graduated from Woodlawn High School. He was a lifelong supporter and alumnus of the University of Alabama. Following his graduation he served in the United States Navy at Memphis Naval Station in Millington, Tennessee and at Great Lakes Naval Station in Great Lakes, Michigan. He returned to Birmingham and married his high school sweetheart, Margaret June Powers, on March 15, 1958. Mr. Dodson joined his father in business at Magic City Wholesale Produce Company and eventually became president and owner. He remained in the produce business until his retirement in 1996. An avid golfer, he was a charter member of Cumberland Lake Country Club serving as Vice-president of the Board of Directors in 1973. He enjoyed the friendships developed in golf, many of whom became his lifelong friends. He also enjoyed the fellowship as a longtime member of The Birmingham Touchdown Club. Mr. Dodson was a lifelong member of East Lake United Methodist Church, enjoying the Wednesday Morning Bible Study during his later years. In addition to his devotion to his church and his profession, his deepest love and devotion was for his wife of 51 years, June, his five children, his 10 grandchildren and his 1 great-grandchild. Survivors, in addition to his wife, are Dr. Cecil Calvert Dodson, III (Jeannie) of Birmingham, Paul Hayden Dodson of Helena, Wade Alan Dodson (Natalie) of Jacksonville, AL, Thomas Powers Dodson of Trussville, Stephen Brooke Dodson (Patti) of Helena; grandchildren Sarah, William, Katherine, Margaret, Justin, Corey, Drew, Jackson, Allison and Ledare; great granddaughter Branna; sister-in-law Kay Page of Pensacola, FL and brother-in-law Hayden Powers of Trussville. The family would like to express their deepest appreciation to the loving caregivers of Alacare and New Beacon Hospices and especially to his angels next door.