Dr. Jimmy Lee Dodd, (87), of Starkville, Mississippi, passed away of natural causes November 2, 2023, with his loving children at his side in Huntsville, Alabama.
Jimmy was born to Hiram Wesley “Jim” and Julia Cook Dodd on February 23, 1936, in West Blocton, Alabama, even though the family home was in Monroe County, Mississippi near Aberdeen. He was delivered by his mid-wife grandmother. He grew to be a talented scholar and athlete who achieved recognition for both before graduating from Aberdeen High School in 1954. Awarded an athletic scholarship to Mississippi State University (MSU), Jimmy lettered in both football and track before graduating with a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering in 1958. His many MSU accolades included Mr. MSU, co-captain of the football team, All-SEC and Academic All-American in football, M- Club President, and MSU Hall of Fame inductee (1979). He was selected to play in both the North vs South “Blue-Grey” football game and the “Senior Bowl.” During their senior year at MSU, Aberdeen celebrated the accomplishments of Jimmy and his life-long friend and co-captain, Molly Halbert, by declaring a “Halbert-Dodd Day” with a parade and banquet. The most impactful event on Jimmy’s life from his time at MSU was when he met the love of his life, Sarah Johnson, who happened to share his birthday, only three years later.
Jimmy and Sarah married on August 29, 1959, in the First Presbyterian Church in Starkville where they remained faithful members for the rest of their lives. Jimmy continued his education, earning a master’s degree in electrical engineering from MSU in 1962. During that time, he and Sarah had their first two children, Lee Donovan “Donnie”, and Sarah Rebekah “Becky.” Jimmy then served as City Engineer in Aberdeen for a short time before returning to school and completing his PhD in electrical engineering from the University of Texas in Austin in 1967. During his time in Austin, Jimmy and Sarah welcomed their third child, David. After earning his PhD, Dr. Dodd returned to MSU where he taught in the Electrical Engineering Department for over 30 years before retiring. Jimmy was not only an educator, but also an avid farmer and beekeeper. He helped his father farm row crops, livestock, and a large vegetable garden in Monroe County. He also raised his own cattle in Oktoc with his farming partner, Dr. Charles Ivy. Jimmy and his dear friend and MSU office mate, Dr. Frank Ingels, worked multiple summers at various research institutions, including Los Alamos National Labs in New Mexico, Sandia National Labs in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Boeing/NASA in Huntsville, Alabama.
Jimmy cherished family and friends. He was a loyal friend who always stood with friends and family during their hardest life struggles. He maintained childhood and college friendships through frequent reunions. Jimmy treasured the football reunions that he and Charlie Weatherly coordinated for the MSU football teams led by coaches Darrell Royal and Wade Walker. He loved to swap stories and laugh with the “Local Dawgs” during their monthly breakfast and lunch gatherings.
Jimmy and Sarah loved to travel. In addition to multiple “Starkville Bus Tours” to domestic destinations, they visited the Holy Land, traced the Apostle Paul’s journeys in Turkey and Greece, and explored Scotland.
Jimmy was a loving husband, patient, and tender caregiver for Sarah during decades of liver disease until her death in 2013. Recognizing the need for blood donation from Sarah’s surgeries, he began donating blood continually for decades and was recognized in the region as a top blood donor. After retiring, he volunteered and ultimately coordinated an AARP free tax preparation service for the low income and elderly in Starkville and Columbus.
After Sarah passed away, Jimmy found love again in 2014 with Sylvia West Love. Since Sylvia was also an Aberdeen High School (AHS) graduate, she and Jimmy had a lot in common. Their first date was to an AHS class reunion. They became inseparable and looked after one another until her passing in September 2022.
Jimmy was preceded in death by his loving wife Sarah, his dear companion Sylvia Love, son Donnie Dodd, grandson Calvin Davie, his parents and three siblings Albert Dodd (Doris) of Ft Walton Beach, Florida, Helen Pruitt of Aberdeen, Mississippi, and Edna Kendall (Jack) of Huntsville, Alabama, and his nephew, Dale Pruitt of Aberdeen, Mississippi.
He is survived by his daughter Becky Davie (Jim) of Fall City, Washington, son David Dodd (Debbie) of Huntsville, Alabama, grandson Johnny Dodd, granddaughters Lauren Kate Dodd, Lilly Davie Ralstin (Rob), Jane Davie and Bella Davie, nieces Margaret Taylor (Lex) of Louisville, Mississippi, JJ Shoemake (Jason) of Huntsville, Alabama, nephews Wayne Pruitt and Lamar Pruitt (Tiffany) both of Aberdeen, Mississippi, Wes Dodd (Elaine) of Madison, Mississippi, Wes Kendall (Suzanne) of Huntsville, Alabama, great granddaughters Stevie and Quinn Ralstin and great grandson Jack Ralstin, and many extended cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
His family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude for the compassionate care provided to Jimmy by Beehive Homes of Starkville, Thrive at Jones Farm in Huntsville, Redstone Village Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing of Huntsville, and Hospice of North Alabama.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the L. Donovan Dodd Memorial Potter’s Wheel Endowment Fund in the Department of Art at MSU, First Presbyterian Church of Starkville, Mississippi, or a charity of your choice.
A celebration of life will be announced at a later date. Services will be coordinated by Welch Funeral Home of Starkville, Mississippi.
