In Memory

Joseph Dodson - Class Of 1945

Mr. Joseph “Bob” Dobson, 86, of Indianapolis, passed away Friday, April 4, 2014.Mr. Dobson was born July 12, 1927, to the now late Herbert Ivan and Mabel Sanders Dobson.

He grew up in Thorntown, and later moved to Lebanon where he started high school. He was known to family and friends of Thorntown and Lebanon as Bob Dobson.

In high school he lettered in sports and was captain of his high school basketball team.  Upon graduation from Lebanon High School in 1945, he entered the U.S. Navy. While in the navy, he was stationed in Boston, Mass, for two years, processing the Navy servicemen who were returning home from war.  Mr. Dobson returned home from the Navy and took up residence in Indianapolis. He got a job with Best Foods, Inc., where he managed their accounting department, retiring in 1986 after 38 years of service.

He was married for 56 years to Virginia Tice Garner Dobson, and they resided on the south side of Indianapolis. Mr. Dobson was active in his church, The Reorganized Church of the Latter Day Saints, where he held the office of elder. The Lord blessed him with an excellent singing voice to entertain his family, friends, and for church services. He loved music and spent a great deal of his younger days performing at dances, proms, and in various nightclubs in and around Indianapolis.

He was a sports fanatic, but especially loved road trips to see the Cincinnati Reds play. He loved college basketball and his favorite time of year was March Madness. He bowled at Sport Bowl for many years, developing many lasting friendships with so many great gentlemen.

Survivors include his two daughters, Susan Garner (Butch) Mallory and Debbie Dobson (Kim) Richards; and grandchildren, Tara Harrington Peacock, Stefani Richards, Jakeb Richards, Damon Richards and Jeffrey Richards; six great-grandchildren; and eight great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia; a son, Clyde Garner; and a granddaughter, Tracy Harrington Yattaw.

Visitation is 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 12, at Shirley Brothers Washington Memorial Chapel, 9606 E. Washington St., Indianapolis. Services will be held at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at the chapel.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Greater Indianapolis Chapter Alzheimer’s Association, 50 E. 91st St., Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46240; 317-575-9620; www.alzheimers.org.