TOPEKA — James (Jim) Vernis Dodson, 67, Topeka, died Saturday, March 20, 2021.
He was born July 15, 1953, in Topeka, the son of Lee and Kathleen (O’Brien) Dodson.
He attended Wanamaker Grade School, Jay Shideler Jr. High School, and Washburn Rural High School, graduating in 1971. Jim led the Washburn Rural basketball team into several state championships. In 1977, he received a bachelor’s degree from Washburn University.
In 1971, Jim was drafted in the 14th round by the New York Yankees. He played professional minor league baseball for the New York Yankees Organization, having played in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Johnson City, Tennessee, until 1973. He also managed semiprofessional baseball and girl’s fast-pitch softball for many years. He served in many capacities for the Topeka Baseball Federation as well.
Jim was an avid runner for many years, and later walked every day, rain or shine. He was also a very talented artist. He particularly loved to draw and paint. He always enjoyed helping his daughters with art projects for school, which developed their love for creativity and art. He was lovingly known as “Pazum” by his daughters. Jim was an incredibly loving father, always there for his daughters and family with a listening ear. As he told his daughters, “I love you more than air and life itself.”
Jim grew up Catholic and attended Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church, as well as other Catholic churches in the area.
Jim married Mary A. Wege Oct. 1, 1983, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Duluth. They moved to Carbondale in 1986, where they lived until 2017.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Mary Lee Dodson, in 2009.
Survivors include his wife, Mary, daughters Dorene Dodson and Kathleen Dodson, all of Topeka; three siblings, Kathleen Ellen Dodson Fick (Ret. Maj. Gen., USAF), Charlotte, North Carolina, Dr. Richard (Alyssa) Dodson, Murray, Kentucky, and Steven (Dianne) Dodson, Burlingame; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Monday, March 29, at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 3601 S.W. 17th St., Topeka. Interment will follow at Carbondale Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 28, at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, 1321 S.W. 10th Ave., Topeka.
Memorial contributions may be made to NAMI Kansas, P.O. Box 675, Topeka, KS, 66601 or Mayo Clinic-Department of Development, 200 First St. S.W., Rochester, MN 55905. To leave a message for Jim’s family, please visit www.PenwellGabelTopeka.com.
