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Vernon L. “Sarge” Dodson

Vernon L. “Sarge” Dodson

1931-2021

Vernon L. “Sarge” Dodson, 90, of Martinsburg W.Va., passed away on Monday, November 1, 2021 at Berkeley Medical Center.

Born September 23, 1931 in Berkeley Springs W.Va., he is the son of the late Henry Harrison Dodson and Lula Johnson Dodson.

Living most of his life in his home state, upon graduation from Berkeley Springs High School, he made a career in the United States Army, serving 26 years from 1952 until August 31, 1978. He retired as a Master Sergeant (MSG) receiving the following medals: Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal with two Oak leaf Clusters; Good Conduct (eighth award) Korean Service, Vietnam Service, Vietnam Campaign, United Nations Service, Presidential Unit Emblem, Meritorious Unit Emblem, Armed Forces Expeditionary (Korea), National Defense Service with Oak Leaf Cluster, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm.

He was recently honored during the dedication of the World War II Memorial in Berkeley Springs, W.Va., where he is memorialized along with his brother Ralph Dodson, on the memorial for serving in Vietnam.

He was an active member of the VFW and Moose Lodge. In his younger years he worked for James Rumsey Technical Institute in many capacities enjoying his interaction with students and staff.

As a former Army chef, he enjoyed cooking for his family and friends and loved organizing his family reunions. Known around Martinsburg for his vegetable soup, potato salad and fried oyster recipes, he favored his roots and enjoyed making homemade apple butter with the Cather/Barbour families.

He was an outdoorsman and loved to hunt with his hunting buddies. He was a member of the Big Lick Sportsman Club in Lost River, W.Va. Never meeting a stranger, he also enjoyed attending the McDonald’s Senior Breakfast Club in Martinsburg and in the last year became an engaged member of the Berkeley Senior Center. All of these groups gave him great joy and fond memories.

He is survived by his wife Patricia Ann Godlewski Dodson of 65 years of marriage; brother, Homer L. Dodson, Berkeley Springs, W.Va.; son, Dennis L. Dodson, Martinsburg, W.Va.; daughter Corrine D. Barbour (Glynn) Stephens City, Va.; daughter Mary Flatness, Glengary, W.Va., and daughter Sabrina A. Guthridge, Great Cacapon, W.Va. The happiest times for him were with his 10 grandchildren: Emmy, Andrew, Hunter, Alex, Anna, Megan, Miranda, Taylor, Evan and Ryan and three great grandchildren: Ania, Alyssa and Wyatt.

He was preceded in death by his son Paul E. Dodson of Stevensville, Md.; sister, Virginia I. VanGosen and brothers, James Dodson, Pasadena, Md.; Raymond Dodson, Berkeley Springs, W.Va.; Paul Dodson, Berkeley Springs, W.Va.; Henry Jr. Dodson, Inwood, W.Va., and Ralph Dodson, Jacksonville, N.C.

In lieu of flowers the family asks memorial donations be made to the Morgan County Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund of Berkeley Springs, W.Va., and to the Berkeley Senior Center at 217 N. High Street, Martinsburg, W.Va.

Funeral service was held on Friday, November 5, at 11 a.m., at the Brown Funeral Home South Berkeley Chapel, Inwood, W.Va. Interment was in Pleasant View Memory Gardens Charlestown Road, Kearneysville, W.Va.

Online condolences may be offered at www.BrownFuneralHomesWV.com.

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