FRED WAYNE DODD

December 30, 1942 – January 15, 2018

Fred Wayne Dodd passed away Monday, January 15, 2018 at the age of 75. Fred had been a resident of Talking Rock, Georgia since 2005. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Fran Dodd, their two children Kevin Dodd (Susan Dodd) and Cheryl Karcher (Stephen Karcher), and two grandsons, Joshua Karcher and Benjamin Karcher.

Fred was born on December 30, 1942 in Bay City, Texas to Buddy and Winnie Lee Dodd of West Columbia, Texas. He and his parents moved all around Texas, stopping in Midland, Texas long enough for Fred to be graduated from Midland High School (1961). He then enrolled at the University of Texas, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts (1965) and Master of Arts (1967) degrees in Mathematics.

In 1967, he accepted a position as an instructor of Mathematics at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama. In this "teaching job", Fred found what so few people are lucky to find in life - a passion and a purpose. In 1979, he took his wife and children on an adventure to Greeley, Colorado where he earned a Doctorate of Education (1981) from the University of Northern Colorado. This gave him the tools he needed to proudly commit 37 years of his life to teaching Mathematics, before finally retiring from the University of South Alabama in 2002.

Fred was a "serial hobbyist" - once his interest was kindled, it burned brightly, sometimes for many years, sometimes briefly. Bicycling, building and flying model airplanes, fishing, shooting air rifles and skeet, and birdwatching are some of the areas that received his level of commitment to excellence. For Fred, the best part of mastering a new passion was that it usually required him to invent some gadget to overcome an inefficiency he had identified. One of Fred's rules to live by was: "If you are going to do something, then do it right." There is no doubt that he did exactly that.

There was one hobby that he never lost passion for - his partner, his best friend, the love of his life. Fred dedicated over 53 years of love and commitment to his wife Fran, and together they built a legacy that lives on in his children, grandchildren, family, and all the people that he touched in his life. In his words, "Leave every place better than how you found it". In this, too, he succeeded.

Rather than a service at this time, the family will hold a Celebration of Life this spring. We invite those whose lives have been touched by Fred to join us in this celebration. The date and venue will be shared through Roper Funeral Home's webpage. The family will treasure any thoughts or memories that you wish to share through the Roper Funeral Home website. If you are so moved, a donation in Fred's name to your favorite charity, or the American Heart Association would be welcomed in lieu of flowers.

To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of Fred Wayne Dodd, please visit our Tribute Store.

Previous Events