Virgil Kenneth Dodson, Sr., age 79, of rural Lamar, passed away early Monday morning, July 11, 2016, surrounded by family at his home.

Virgil was born December 7, 1936, in Carthage, Missouri, the youngest son of the eleven children of Ray and Alva (Arnold) Dodson. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marlene Dodson; parents; three brothers, Allen, Paul, and Donald Dodson; and four sisters, Ruby Jepson, Ruth O’Maley, Jewel Gatlin, and Virgie Weiss.

On November 6, 1954, in Pendleton, Oregon, Virgil married Marlene Peterson and they raised their four children and shared 58 years before her passing on June 10, 2013. In addition to owning and operating Robbie’s Bar in Lamar, Virgil had worked in trucking and construction for many years and was a member of the Carpenters Union #311 for 50 years. Always interested in serving others, he was an active Mason, a member of York Rite, Scottish Rite, Eastern Star, Carthage and Barton County Shrine Clubs, and Carthage Train Crew. He was instrumental in organizing and promoting the Barton County Shrine Club and the Lamar Boxing Club and enjoyed the fellowship of friends in Lamar Metro and Lamar Elks Lodge.

Survivors include two sons, Virgil Dodson, Jr. of Durham, North Carolina and Billy (Alicia) Dodson of Lamar, Missouri; two daughters, Connie (Shaun) Earll, Kansas City, Missouri and Catherine (Mickel) McCulley, Aurora, Missouri; three sisters, Bonnie (Bill) Arnold and Margie Randall of Carthage, and Emily Sue (Rodney) Ehnen of Smithville, Missouri; 13 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and a large extended family.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a. m. ­­ Friday, July 15, 2016 at Daniel Funeral Home. Burial will be 2:00 pm Friday, in Dudman Cemetery east of Carthage.

The family will receive friends immediately following Masonic Rites to be conducted at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, July 14, 2016 at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Shriner’s Hospital for Children in care of Daniel Funeral Home.