Thomas Joel Dodd, Sr.
March 9, 1942 - June 29, 2007

Thomas Joel Tommy Dodd, a public land surveyor, was born March 9, 1942, in Bertram, Texas. He passed on to a better life on Friday, June 29, 2007, at his home in Austin, Texas, after a year-long courageous struggle with cancer. He was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin and Bill Dodd, mother and father-in-law, Martha and W. L. Rippy, a brother, Gary Marvin Dodd, and a sister, Mona Bowmer. He was also preceded in death by brothers-in-law Lee Lindsey, Jack Bowmer, and Lauris Lyndon Sonny Rippy, and two nephews, Leslie Baker and Richard Lee Lindsey.Tommy confessed his belief in Jesus at a young age at the Bertram Church of Christ and joined Bannockburn Baptist Church, Austin, Texas, in 2003. His faith in a life after death has been a great support for him and his family. It has sustained them and enabled them to know that he is no longer in pain and is with so many loved ones who will welcome him to heaven.Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Laura Rippy Dodd, whom he wed on June 8, 1963, his sons, T. J. of Blanco and Jeff of Dripping Springs, his daughters-in-law, Lisa wife of T.J. and Kim wife of Jeff, and his precious grandsons, Tyler, Keaton, Tanner, Hunter, Logan, and Parker.Another love of his life was the Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo. Through his work with the fair and rodeo, he devoted more than 30 years to the betterment of the young people of Travis County and the State of Texas. In 2006, he served as the president of that organization, an honor that he treasured. In 2004, he received the Top Hand Award,? which recognizes the best volunteer of that organization. He also received other state and national awards for volunteer service.Tommy was a registered professional land surveyor. He enjoyed a lengthy career at Carlson, Brigance and Doering, Inc., and was esteemed and admired by his colleagues. He retired earlier this year.A visitation will be held at Harrell Funeral Home, Austin, Texas, on Monday, July 2, 2007, from 6:00 till 8:00 p.m. We will celebrate Tommys richly productive and eventful life at Bannockburn Baptist Church on Tuesday, July 3, at 10:00 A.M.Serving as pallbearers will be Tommy Carlson, Bob Lanford, Dr. Charles Graham, Steve Skinner, Bucky Lamb, Mike Oldaker, Shawn Tuggle, Lauris Baker, Danny Doering, and Charles Bringance. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be his six grandsons, Tyler, Keaton, Tanner, Hunter, Logan, and Parker Dodd. The family thanks those loving friends who came to visit him in the hospital and at home, called him to let him know they cared, sent cards, brought food, and prayed for his health and peace. We thank Dr. Beth Hellerstedt for treating Tommy with everything at her disposal to fight the cancer, and we appreciate the many other doctors who cared for him during the last years of his life. Special thanks go to Sara and Christian, who gave him hugs every time he went to Texas Oncology for a treatment. We also thank Else and others who were kind to Tommy and to Laura throughout the many days we spent at Texas Oncology while they administered radiation and chemo treatments. We also thank Viola Brooks who stayed with us each morning for the last two weeks and sang beautiful gospel music to him after we completed our morning devotional each day.Tommy, we love you and our hearts are heavy because we will not have your wonderful face to see each day. We will see you again soon, but until that day we want you to watch over each of your loved ones. Until then, ride on cowboy.

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