Wallace "Pete" Eugene Dodson

Wallace E. "Pete" Dodson, age 89, of Defiance, formerly of Independence, Missouri, passed away on  July 6, 2022 at the Hospice of NW Ohio in Perrysburg, Ohio surrounded by his family.  
  
He was born on April 8, 1933 to the late Jesse and Ruby (Premer) Dodson in Toledo, Ohio.  In 1953, he married Ella Mae Pinckley, now deceased, and later divorced before moving to Broken Arrow, OK.  On July 3, 1974, he married Ruth Hildegard Casutt, who passed away, July 21, 2021.

Pete completed his 9th grade prior to enlisting in the U.S. Army. He received an honorary diploma in June 2002 from the State of Missouri in Grain Valley, MO. While serving in the U.S. Army from 1950 to 1953 he spent his years with the 187th Airborne and the 92nd AFA in Japan and Korea before returning home to Defiance, Ohio. While in the service he boxed in the lightweight division winning the Far East Championship.
 
He was a lifetime member of the VFW Post #3360 in Defiance, and member of several posts of the American Legion as well as holding several offices with Post #49 in Blue Springs, MO after he retired. He was Historian, Sgt-At-Large, Post Commander, and Chairman of the post.  Pete served on Farm Committee, National Public Relations Committee, all Vets Picnic Committee, and the Bingo Committee.  He also served on the Honor Guard and Color Guard.

In his early years Pete raced stock cars at various race tracks in the Northwest Ohio area and enjoyed bowling in leagues for many years. While in Defiance, Pete was employed by Johns Manville for 9 years before relocating to Broken Arrow, OK. He retired in Blue Springs, MO after 26 years from the Glass, Molders, Pottery, Plastics and Allied Workers International Union. He served as an international representative, executive officer, and serviced various local unions in the Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri areas.

He is survived by his daughters, Vickie (Richard) Meyer of Tecumseh, MI, and Connie Michalak of Maumee, OH, his stepson, Gerald (Stephanie) McOsker of Florissant, MO, his stepdaughters, Manuela Richards and Stella McOsker of Liberty, MO, and Debra Delancey of Hagerman, NM, 7 grandchildren, 6 step-grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, 12 step-great-grandchildren, 2 step-great-great-grandchildren. 
  
Preceding him in death were his parents, Jesse and Ruby Dodson; an infant daughter, his daughter, Deborah Stotz, and his brother, Dalton Dodson.
  
A Graveside Service will take place on Monday July 11, 2022 at 2:00 P.M. at Riverview Memory Gardens.  Schaffer Funeral Home was honored to assist the family with arrangements. 
  
Memorials are suggested to a charity of the donor's choice. Online condolences can be given at www.Schafferfh.com.
  
  
 

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