John Mark Dodson II's Obituary
John Mark Dodson II went home to be with the Lord on July 5, 2025, at the age of 62, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was a loving father, a proud patriot, and unforgettable personality—known for his deep faith, passion for music, endless advice, and unwavering commitment to his country.
Fondly called Johnny in his youth, John was born on December 19, 1961, in Houston, Texas, to Roy and Colleen Dodson. After graduating North Shore High School, he went to Sam Houston and then he enlisted in the United States Army as a veterinary technician. He served honorably for three years before returning to civilian life, where he met and married Terri, his wife of 18 years. Later, he proudly rejoined the Army and completed a total of 13 years of honorable service, eventually continuing his work as a contractor with Computer Sciences Corporation and General Dynamics.
His work as an I.T. contractor, particularly overseas, was a source of immense pride. He considered himself a computer scientist and tackled every role with intelligence, curiosity, and dedication. In his later years, he devoted himself to serving homeless veterans and sharing spiritual encouragement through what he called “The Lord’s Message”—weekly emails filled with Scripture, reflection, and reminders of God’s love.
John was a man of faith, passion, and conviction. He had a sharp wit and advice for every situation. He believed strongly that God’s clearest command was to “love one another,” and he reminded family and friends of that whenever tensions arose.
Music was another cornerstone of his life. A talented guitarist and storyteller, John’s love for the Beatles was legendary, and he never passed up the chance to jam on a Fender Stratocaster. He also played with a local band, The Vellotones, and admired artists like Wings, Led Zeppelin, Neil Young, and Aerosmith. His passion for music was infectious, and he often serenaded loved ones with rock classics or Beatles ballads.
John was also an avid reader with an insatiable thirst for knowledge. He especially loved the writings of James Herriot and Stephen King, exploring both the tender and the terrifying through their books. He was equally enthusiastic about classic TV, often staying up late to watch shows like The Monkees, Are You Being Served?, The Andy Griffith Show, and All in the Family. He relished these simple pleasures and shared them with his children, teaching them poker with pennies (“Penny Ante Poker”) and how to play dominoes on quiet nights at home.
Though he never cared much for travel, John’s heart was always with his family. He loved the holidays—especially Halloween and Christmas—and looked forward to any chance to be with those he loved most. John held many titles in his life—artist, computer scientist, soldier, bandmate, and “I.T. Golden Boy”—but his favorite role was father. He adored his children and often referred to them affectionately as his “rascals.” He found joy in watching them grow, and he passed on his sense of humor, his love of music, and his belief in the importance of being kind and thoughtful human beings.
John was preceded in death by his father, Roy Dodson; his mother, Colleen Dodson; his grandfather, John Mark Dodson I (“Papa”); and his grandmother, Willie Marie “Wreby” Dodson.
He is survived and dearly missed by his children, Leslie Dodson (Alex St. Germain) and John Mark Dodson III (“Mark”); the mother of his children, Terri Dodson; his sister, Deborah Martin, and nephew, Tosh; his uncle, Carter; and his close friends Eileen Lyon, Joseph “Joe” Pizzitola, and Phil Eyth.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in John’s name to an organization supporting homeless veterans in your state. He would have loved that.
We miss you and love you, Daddy.
“The song is ended, but the melody lingers on.”
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