Graveside Services for Leon Dodson, 89, Putnam resident will be held 3 p.m., Tuesday, December 22, 2020 in the Center Point Cemetery in Dewey County, OK officiated by David Beck and under the direction of the Kiesau-Lee Funeral Home.
Visitation will be held noon till 1 p.m., Tuesday, December 22, 2020 in the Putnam First Christian Church.
A private Service will be held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, December 22, 2020 in Putnam’s First Christian Church.
The family invites friends to Live Stream on Facebook Live at First Christian Church of Putnam, OK, to be a part of the funeral service.
Robert Leon Dodson born March 9, 1931 to Glenna (Barton) and Graydon Dodson near Butler, OK and passed away Friday, December 18, 2020 in Selling, OK.
Leon started school at Bellview, a country school between Custer City and Weatherford, OK.
The family lived in the Fairview Community in Custer County for a short time and then he attended school at Elm Community, also in Custer County. Leon spent his first two years of high school at Independence.
In 1947 he moved to Dewey County with his parents and younger brother, Kenneth, to a farm 1 1/4 miles northwest of Aledo. The previous owners of the farm were his grandparents, Nola and Noble Dodson. He graduated from Putnam High School in 1949 as class Salutatorian.
Shortly after high school graduation, Leon began working for Pete Jones operating a bulldozer building ponds and terraces. He also farmed for his dad. Within a few years, he went to work for Paul Moody building the large government ponds on the Washita River watershed. He was making $2.05 an hour, working nine hour days, seven days a week.
He married Clista Peck on September 28, 1954 in Clinton, OK. They made their first home in Clinton, moved to Aledo for a short while, and then landed in Wynnewood, OK in February 1955 while Leon continued working on the government dams.
In May 1955, the young couple moved back to Dewey County and began their farming experience. In 1961, they bought their first farm near Aledo, OK. In 1971, they built a home on their farm and moved in on Thanksgiving Day.
Along with farming, raising cattle, and raising family, Leon has been active in the conservation and development of Dewey County.
Leon has been a longtime, faithful and active member of the Putnam First Christian Church, including serving as Deacon and Elder and he served as treasurer. He was part of the volunteer construction team that built the current building. He was also a part of the volunteer project management team and building committee for the Putnam Senior Citizens building and served as treasure.
Leon received the Dewey County Soil Conservation Award in 1972; he served on the Community Committee of Dewey County for 16 years; he served as a Committee man for the Farm Service Agency for 19 years, serving both as vice chairman and then chairman; they served county residents who were living south of the river from Leedey to Thomas; he served one term on the Farm Home Committee, an agency through which low interest loans were issued to buy machinery or to builds homes; and he served on the Custer CO-OP Board for 15 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Clista, of 66 years, on December 5, 2020; three brothers, William Gerald Dodson, Graydon Lowell Dodson, and Charles Kenneth Dodson and infant twins.
He is survived by his son, Gary Dodson and wife, Kathy, Leedey, two daughters, Mona Kauk and husband, Keith, Butler, OK, and Grace Craig, Putnam, OK.
He is also survived by eight grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, and relatives and friends.
The family has suggested those wanting to give a memorial contribution may do so to the Putnam Senior Citizens Center 79834 U.S. Highway 183, Putnam, OK 73659 or to The Putnam Volunteer Firefighter Association 80183 U.S. Highway 183 73659.