Dennis Kyle Dodson
May 20, 1966 to May 3, 2023

Dennis Kyle Dodson was born in Huston Texas on May 20, 1966 and moved to California in July of 1970. He spent most of his childhood exploring the Arcata and Blue Lake area and traveling to Texas and Louisiana for the summer. He enjoyed playing football in the field by his his house and adventuring with his friends during the school year until he graduated from Arcata High School in 1985. After high school Dennis spent years working at mills before taking a job as a support worker, spending over twenty five years working with people with mental and physical disabilities, most of which were spent at HCAR, a job he loved and full of people he considered friends.

Dennis was an artist of all sorts. From drawing and painting to woodwork and cooking, building to papier-mâché, there were few things he couldn’t do once he put his mind to it, often without instructions. He was passionate about his crafts and put his heart into everything he did. He was skilled in many things, including hunting, fishing, and raising animals. His hobbies included camping, long drives through the woods and mountains, playing horseshoes, and target shooting. If it was an outdoor activity he’d love it. But one thing Dennis loved more than all of that was people.

Dennis had a big heart, he loved the people in his community and was happy to be a helping hand whenever one was needed, whether it was to a friend or a complete stranger. After an earthquake he could always be found driving around the town, looking for people who were unable to get to higher grounds on their own. But his favorite people was his family. Both by blood and by choice, Dennis was probably at his happiest when he was around his family. He tried to talk to his parents, Ann and Keven Stolpe, every day and always asked for updates on his siblings and extended family. Dennis loved and raised two daughters, Melissa and Kimberly Dodson, on his own and on 11-11-11 he married the love of his life, Dayna Dodson, and gained his bonus daughter, Bree Jallo, who he loved as his own. In June 2012 he got his first grandson, Blayze, who was the absolute joy of his heart. He would do anything and everything to make sure his family was happy, safe, and cared for no matter the cost.

Unfortunately Dennis couldn’t be kept forever, and on May 3, 2023, Dennis Kyle Dodson took his final breath, leaving behind a family and group of friends who will always love him and remember him for the brave, funny, smart, loving, wonderful man he was.

Dennis leaves behind: his loving mom, Ann Stolpe, and loving dad, Keven Stolpe; his beloved wife, Dayna Dodson; his three daughters, Melissa and Kimberly Dodson, Bree Jallo, and her son Blayze; his sister DaLana Martin, her son Justin Dean Martin, and her granddaughter Skylar Martin; his brother Daniel Dodson, Jackie Welch, and her daughter Isabella Hayes; his sister Darla Dodson, her son Kyle Allen, her daughter Kayla and Eli, and her grandson Aiden; his brother Antonio Avelar and Laynette; his brother Warren Crawford and his daughter Janessa Crawford and son George Crawford; his stepsister Karrie and Ray Blankenship, their son and daughter, and numerous nieces and nephews; his stepbrother Michael and Sarah Stolpe and his two daughters and two sons; his stepbrother Chris Stolpe and his son and two daughters; his stepsister Sarah and Jay Morgan, their two daughters and son, and their grandchildren; his Aunt Darlene and Aunt Dorothy; and many cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends so close they may as well be family.

Dennis Dodson was a great man who will not be easily forgotten by those who knew and loved him. He’s touched so many people and changed so many lives it’s simply impossible.

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