With the heaviest of hearts, the Dodd/Rodriguez families must announce the passing of our beautiful wife, mother, sister, Gloria Rodriguez Dodd, June 28, 2021.  Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, has requested her presence in Heaven to join her family.

She fought an intense battle with breast cancer and proved her resilience and determination to conquer and overcome this disease, but to no avail.  During her battle she continued her active daily life doing all that she loved.  She loved the outdoors, hunting and fishing.  Monthly, she would take the 6 hour drive to her ranch in Dryden, TX to build fences and gates and maintain hunting locations.  Driving the West Texas desert plains was a favorite of hers.  Watching the free range animals and bumping into our ranch neighbors to have a little chat.  Watching a cool morning sunrise with a cup of coffee was always a delight with the desert sounds and a distant train horn blowing.  Her ranch cabin was her second home.  Watching the sunset west brought excitement with the crisp night air and the orange skyscape.  Stars to no end fill the pitch dark night and the sounds of coyotes calling out to one another in the distance.

During the freezing cold hunting season, she enjoyed waking early, making a brew of coffee, and preparing for the walk to the hunting blind in the dark of the morning, flash lights showing the way, rifles and packs slung over our shoulders only to nap in her hunting chair to wake to deer beneath the deer feeder.  Excited and heart pumping you could feel and see her excitement.

She loved crafts, arts and decorating for the holidays.  Her home full of her gentle touch of love, care and daily reminders of positivity and encouragement.  Her house is her and reflects her love for family and kindness.

Gloria's kitchen was her get-away.  Hours upon hours baking and preparing meals.  She loved feeding her family.  Her pride was her delicious meals.  After nearly every meal, she would take a photo of her plate and share the photos with her family.  Weekend mornings she delighted in sipping a cup of coffee on her backyard patio deck.  With her beloved dogs, Gujo, Baby Girl, and Gunner, they would spend time watching the neighborhood activity.  Of course, making sure no one was up to no good!

Her meals came in abundance to share with all family, friends, neighbors and the occasional passer-by.  Holidays were a favorite baking time of Gloria's.  Cookies, and large meals for all to enjoy.  She always loved gathering her sugar cookies, oatmeal with pecan, oatmeal with raisin cookies, powdered sugar cookies and gingerbread cookies in holiday decorated containers and delivering them to family, neighbors and friends.  Celebrating the birth of Jesus was definitely her favorite time of year.

She enjoyed bar-b-queing during the summers with her husband.  Always ready to correct him at the pit.  Turn it, don't turn it, fire is too hot, fire is not hot enough.  The briskets and whole pigs always turned out delicious with all of her famous sides, potato salad, rice, beans and her salsa.

Chicken, ribs and sausage was always a wonderful quick BBQ meal she loved and enjoyed having us prepare together.  Sitting around the pit, enjoying some beer, tequila or sipping on some whiskey listening to her favorite music.  Tennessee Whiskey.  Maybe this was my favorite but she loved sharing it with me.

Gloria's excellence shined in her work.  She called herself Administrator, but she was, will always be, President of Dodd Electric and Data Technologies, Inc.

Maintaining work flow and capital, she kept the company afloat.  She was continuously posting, preparing, writing documents and reports, always.  She prided herself in maintaining a professional attitude with clients and other contractors.  If needed, she would, without hesitation, pull up her boots, throw on a hard hat and get to pulling wire.  Gloria's work ethic was impeccable, honest, determined, creative, and diligent.  Gloria will be missed.

Loading up the truck to head to Port Aransas was a joy for Gloria.  The drive 37 South, the ferry, hitting the beach, the early morning breakfast with the coastal salty breeze.  She loved it!  Fishing the pier late into the night was relaxing for her.  Driving the beach, walking our dogs, taking in the sights.  Kites, banners, groups of families enjoying the holidays on the beach made her happy.

Gloria Rodriguez Dodd is a beautiful woman with grace, kindness, she's giving, caring, generous.  She loved her entire family, her friends.  Gloria is now in Heaven with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Fourteen years was too short.

We love you Babe!

I love you immensely!

Gloria is survived by her loving husband, James W. Dodd; children:  Christopher Michael Solis and Jonathan Eric Solis; grandchildren: Cameron Jay Solis, Christopher Michael Solis, Jr. (little Chris); brothers and sisters: Eloise Rodriguez (Richard), Valvin Valdez III (Paula), Danny Rodriguez (Monica), Lydia Benavidez (Sonny), Robert Rodriguez, Randy Rodriguez (Letty), Peggy Rodriguez, Mary Lou Rodriguez (Ernesto), Andy Rodriguez, (Isaac), Gary Van De Putte (Maria); father and mother-in-law, Stanley and Mary Dodd; numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her loving mother, Maria Van De Putte, father, Alfred Edward Van De Putte and her great-niece, Elena Marie Huerta.

Funeral Services

Wednesday, July 7, 2021

Visitation will begin at 8:00 A.M. in The Angelus Chapel

Funeral Procession will depart the funeral home at 9:15 A.M.

Mass will be offered at 10:00 A.M. at St. James the Apostle Catholic Church

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Visitation will begin again that evening at 5:00 P.M. in The Angelus Chapel

Rosary to be recited at 7:00 P.M.

Thursday, July 15, 2021

Graveside Service will be held at 9:00 A.M.

Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery

Those attending may arrive at the cemetery as early as 8:30 A.M.

Shelter #1

For those unable to attend services, please leave a message of condolence or memory by signing the online guestbook.