Joe A. Dodd

Joe Albert Dodd, the youngest son of Floyd “Irish” Russell Dodd and Cleo Alberta (Jackman) Dodd, was born in Ainsworth, NE on September 18, 1948 and passed peacefully away on October 29, 2024 at Select Specialty Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 76. 

 Joe attended elementary school in rural Brown County and graduated from Ainsworth High School in 1966. During his high school years, Joe played football and was on the golf team. He also was a part of the FFA chapter. Joe enlisted into the Air Force after graduating and did his basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. After basic training, he was transferred to the Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware as an Airman 1st Class in the 436 Supply Squadron and later on became a Staff Sergeant.

 During the Vietnam War, Joe was stationed in Thailand, where he met and married the love of his life, Kampud Sudchai on September 25, 1970. To this union they were blessed with a daughter, Kristy Cleo, born October 16, 1971. Following his discharge in 1975 from Ellsworth Air Force Base, they moved from Rapid City, SD to Stuart, NE, to Atkinson, NE; then in 1977 they moved to Johnstown, NE where they currently reside. Joe wanted to keep his involvement with the military so he joined the National Guard and also was a part of the Civil Air Patrol.

 Joe was one to always keep himself busy working and doing the things he loved. Fishing was a hobby he loved and made a short career of it. From the 1980’s to 2000, Joe was a very well-known fishing guide at Merritt Dam Reservoir in Valentine, NE. Everyone knew him as “Fat Albert” and he guided all who wanted to go and catch their Master Angler, including Governor Ben Nelson in 1996 and the Nebraska Husker team in 1998. He also held other jobs when he wasn’t able to fish during the fall-spring seasons. For many years he was a school bus driver for District 9 Elementary School in Johnstown, and also coached boys and girls grade school basketball for the Johnstown/Wood Lake schools. He loved being able to work with kids and become their mentor. He was a volunteer fireman for Johnstown and also on the Johnstown Village Board. In the 80’s he started his own businesses, The Village Store, which provided groceries and fuel; and Johnstown Sporting Goods, selling products for hunting and fishing. In 2000, Joe started a new career selling seed corn with LG Seeds. In 2005, he went with the seed corn group, Crows.

 Joe loved spending time with family and friends. One of his greatest loves was Husker football. Whether it was with a group of friends and family or just at home in his comfy chair, he would always be hootin’ and hollerin’ for his Husker team. When living in Atkinson, he enjoyed playing softball and also became an amazing bowler, bowling for many years. He participated in many tournaments and would always bring home a trophy. Joe would always look forward to yearly deer and pheasant hunting seasons where his brothers, nephews and cousins would all get together to fill their limits. Spending moments with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren was the most important and precious time, which brought so much love and joy to his heart.

 Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Cleo Dodd; brothers, William ‘Bill’ Ray Dodd and Russell Oren Dodd. Joe is survived by his wife, Kampud Tawn Dodd of 54 years; daughter, Kristy Cleo (Dodd) Beegle and husband, Benjamin of Ainsworth; six grandchildren: TyLinn (Dodd) Brown and husband, Thomas, Derreck Dodd and fiance, Holly Esterly, Kayla Beegle, Tiffani (Beegle) Davis and husband, Bryan, Brittani Beegle and Colby Beegle; six great-grandchildren: Rosalie, Greyson, Hayden, Ryver, Tymber and Ember; sisters-in-law, Joeleen Dodd of Fremont, NE and Marie Dodd of Ainsworth; along with numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

 Memorial Services were held on Saturday, November 9, 2024 at the Hoch Funeral Home in Ainsworth with Donnie Painter officiating. CD Selections “When I Get Where I’m Going” by Brad Paisley, “Believe” by Brooks and Dunn and “Amazing Grace” by Alan Jackson were played. A special song, “Hallelujah”, was performed by Colby Beegle. Honorary Urnbearers were Troy Dodd, Kerry Dodd, Travis Dodd, Bill Dodd, Tim Dodd and Stephen Dodd. Military Honors were conducted by Ainsworth American Legion Post #79. In lieu of flowers, memorials were suggested to the Ainsworth Elks Club Youth Program in Joe’s name. Inurnment will be at a later date in the East Woodlawn Cemetery at Johnstown. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hochfuneralhome.com.