Elgin Lewis Dodd
Elgin Lewis Dodd
August 12, 1944 — May 27, 2019
Mr. Elgin Lewis Dodd of Tow and Fredericksburg passed away on May 27, 2019 at the age of 74 due to complications from an ongoing battle with kidney disease.
Known by many as Lewis, Elgin, Sonny, Lil’ Brother, Red, Uncle Sonny or Uncle Elgin, Grandpa, Mr. Dodd, or simply as Dad, he leaves behind a legacy of love and laughter.
He was born on Aug. 12, 1944 in Buck Hollow, Texas to Edgar Alton Dodd and Lillian Louise Gifford Dodd.
He grew up in Mason, Texas and graduated high school there before going on to study at Tarleton State University and The University of Texas at Austin, focusing on geology. At the age of 17, Elgin entered the U.S. Army Reserve receiving a rifle marksmanship badge and serving for more than seven years.
Elgin lived in Denver with his family for approximately five years before they decided to move back to the Texas Hill Country and settle in Fredericksburg. At some point in time, Elgin decided to go by his middle name, Lewis. So, he is known to family as Elgin and to his adult friends and those met later in life as Lewis.
During his more than forty years in Fredericksburg, Lewis ran a water well drilling company, served as a Gillespie County Fair Director, was an active member of the Hill Country Turners association, and participated in numerous missions as a Patriot Guard Rider on his Honda Gold Wing motorcycle.
After meeting June Pelat in Oct. 2012 and her later retirement in May 2016, Lewis began spending much of his time in Tow at Lake Buchanan where he became an active member of the Tow community.
Lewis truly was a jack-of-all-trades who always was tinkering on a project of some sort. He was hard-working and handy, often doing electrical work, plumbing, fixing a car, or carpentry repairs for himself and others in his life. Lewis could be stubborn and ornery, but he would always pitch in to help those he cared about solve a problem in a time of need.
Lewis had a knack for entertaining folks with his quick wit, particularly with a good story he could tell, and he greatly enjoyed teasing his friends and family incessantly. He loved to go fishing and hunting, do woodworking, explore the Texas Hill Country on a rambling road trip, and relax playing a game of “42” or a few hands of poker with friends.
Music was always present when he had a say about it, and there better have been a bottle of Tabasco to go with that club sandwich, or at least some pepper, preferably cayenne, though lots of black pepper would do, if need be.
He leaves his daughter, Kimberle E. Dodd of Bethesda, Maryland and her husband William D. Jacques; his daughter, Rebecca M. Dodd of Los Angeles, California; his partner, June L. Pelat of Tow, Texas; his former wife, Celia (Capps) Dodd of Fredericksburg, Texas; and his sister, Glenda Gifford Dodd of Denver, Colorado. He had three adored grandchildren, W. Nathaniel Jacques, Lillian Isabella Jacques, and Vivienne Margaret Jacques as well as many cousins and extended family.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to The National Kidney Foundation, The American Cancer Society, or The Patriot Guard.
A memorial service and luncheon reception will be held in Fredericksburg in the historic Sanctuary at the Pioneer Museum on Saturday, Aug. 17 from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a final farewell before his private ash scattering ceremony takes place with family members at a later time.
The Pioneer Museum is located at 325 West Main Street, Fredericksburg, Texas 78624.
Lewis was well-loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He is watching us now with one eyebrow raised and a wink as he rests in peace.
