Col. Paul Sheldon Dodge, Jr.

Col. Paul Sheldon "Jack" Dodge, Jr. (U.S. Army Retired), 85, of Gulfport died Friday, November 24, in Gulfport. He was born September 1, 1921 in Gulfport , Harrison County, MS, the son of the late Rev. Paul Sheldon Dodge and Mae Elaine Edwards Dodge. He graduated from Gulfport High School in 1939, and from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 1953. He worked for Federal Civil Service at Keesler Air Force Base in the printing department, retiring in 1987. He served 30 years with the military and was on active duty in World War II and the Korean War. He enlisted as a private with Company M, 155th Infantry Regiment, 31st Infantry Division in 1939 and retired September 1, 1981 as a colonel from the Army Reserve. He was a member of Grace Memorial Baptist Church, a member of the Handsboro Masonic Lodge F&AM, Gulfport Scottish and York Rite bodies, and the Joppa Shrine Temple. He was a charter member of the Scrap Iron Sunday School Class at First Baptist Church, Gulfport, was one of its teachers for several years, and enjoyed worshipping the Lord with fellow members who continued to lift him up to the Lord in prayer during his last illness. Special thanks are extended to the fine staff at Driftwood Nursing Center where he was a resident for two years. He was preceded in death by his son, Paul S. Dodge, III. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Joy Vincent Dodge of Gulfport; two grandsons, David G. and Christopher A. Dodge; a great-grandson, Dylan C. Dodge; two sisters, Doris Ruth Flurry of Southaven and Annie Laurie Harris of St. Charles, IL; his daughter-in-law, Marie Eckles of Thomasville, GA. There will be a memorial service Wednesday, November 29, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. at Grace Memorial Baptist Church, 2301 23rd Avenue, Gulfport where friends may visit from 9:00 a.m. until the service. Honorary pall bearers will be members of Company M. Interment will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery with full military honors. The family prefers memorials to the Paul S. Dodge, III Scholarship Fund, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, 3939 Gentilly Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70126-9988. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com