James Robert Dodd
- May 25
- 2 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
August 29, 1958 – May 21, 2026
James Robert Dodd, 67, of Spokane, Washington, passed away peacefully
surrounded by his family on May 21, 2026.
Born on August 29, 1958, to James and Jody Dodd, James grew up alongside his
siblings, Sandi Goodlander, Wayne Dodd, and Kim Latimer. A talented athlete and
dedicated student, he earned a full-ride scholarship to Ricks College, where he
played basketball and graduated with honors in business. He continued his
academic and athletic journey at Mayville State, graduating with degrees in both
computer science and accounting.
James built a successful career as a computer programmer at Avista Utilities.
However, his life was defined far more by his character than his career. He was a
man of deep faith, serving as a Bishop in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, and he lived his life as a devoted servant to his community and his family.
He had a profound love for the outdoors and spent years dedicated to the Boy
Scouts of America. Those who knew him best will remember him for his sharp wit,
his love of Westerns, his passion for sports, and his incredible talent for storytelling.
Whether he was sharing a lesson or a laugh, he had a unique way of making
everyone around him feel seen and heard. Above all, James cherished his family
and his beloved dog, Kody.
James is survived by his wife, Trudy; his children, James Christopher Dodd, Angela
Ranae Abrams, Jeremy Ryan Dodd, and Spencer Eric Dodd; his ten grandchildren;
and his mother, Jody. He was preceded in death by his father, James William Dodd.
A memorial service will be held on June 10, 2026, at 11:00 at The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 401 W Regina Ave, Spokane, WA 99218. The
burial will follow at 2:00 at Heritage Funeral, located at 508 N Government Way,
Spokane, WA 99224.
Bob was just a great guy. Played lots of ball games with him and his Dad. Always a pleasure to be around. Never met his spouse or children but I send our prayers your way. The same for Wayne, his mother and the girls. Wonderful memories of all of you!
Jerry Holloway
Bob was my best friend. Whatever I say now won't do justice to him or our friendship. I will miss most our conversations about growing up in the 70s. He loved riding bikes all around his neighborhood in Southern California, watching his beloved Lakers (Jerry West and Gail Goodrich were favorites), and reading Edgar Rice Burroughs (Tarzan and John Carter series). As he drifted into the past, he would say, "Now Craig, a lot of people don't know this, but the Rams had maybe the greatest defensive line in NFL history with Deacon Jones and Merlin Olsen." We could talk sports for hours. At his very essence, he was just a giant 12 year old boy. That innocence drew people…