A Memorial Service for Dudley Sanford Dodgen, Sr will be held at 2 o'clock, on Wednesday, January 18th, at Forest Lake Presbyterian Church, 6500 N Trenholm Rd, Columbia, SC 29206, officiated by Reverend Dr. Ellen Skidmore. The family will receive friends following the service in the church parlor. A livestream of the service will be available by visiting www.FLPc.org . Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road, Chapel, is assisting the family.

Mr. Dodgen passed away January 11, 2023. He was born July 17, 1933 in Macon, GA to Mabel Reed Dodgen and Hugh Sanford Dodgen. Mr. Dodgen attended the Baylor Preparatory School in Chattanooga, TN, Mercer University in Macon, GA and Georgia Tech in Atlanta, GA. During his career he also did some graduate courses work at the University of GA, Appalachian State University and Princeton University. He received a commission as a Second Lieutenant from the ROTC program after completing his education and served on active duty at Fort Lee, VA. He later served as a Major in the U. S. Army Reserves.

He was employed by the General Electric Company in August of 1956 and retired after 40 years in August of 1996. He began his career in Cleveland, Ohio then to Boston and back to Cleveland. He was then transferred to Charlotte, NC and next to Columbia, SC until his retirement. After retirement he was President of Dodgen Lighting Consultants, Inc.

Mr. Dodgen was a member and President of the Illuminating Engineering Society, past member of the Columbia Rotary Club, of the Rockbridge Club, Wildwood-Woodcreek Country Club, Board Member of Yacht Harbor Villas at Wild Dunes and Vice-President of Polo Ridge Homeowners Association.

He loved young people and spent many years in youth activities. He was President and Board Member for the Columbia AAU Swim Team for many years. He was one of the founders of the Pop Warner Football Program an helped bring it to Columbia in 1968. He was past President of the Spring Valley High School Booster Club from 1977-1981. He helped form the Richland Northeast High School Booster Club when the new school opened in 1978. Although Dudley did not attend USC, he became an avid Gamecock follower and was a 36-year member of the Gamecock Club.

He enjoyed sports and family get togethers, his love for his family was primary in his life.

Watching his son participate in swim meets and playing football and his daughter in gymnastics and cheerleading was his pleasure. He took great enjoyment in supporting his grandson Hunter in golf events.

Mr. Dodgen was an active member of Forest Lake Presbyterian Church for 58 years. The family ask that in lieu of flowers, a memorial be made to Forest Lake Presbyterian Church, North Trenholm Road, Columbia, SC.

Mr. Dodgen is survived by his loving and beautiful wife of 64 years Gloria, a son Dudley Sanford Dodgen, Jr (San), his wife Maureen, daughter Melody Dodgen and grandson Hunter Dodgen.