of Memphis, TN
September 30, 1965 - January 21, 2011
Wesley Forrest Dodge, 45, of Memphis, passed away at home, Friday, January 21, 2011.
Wes was a graduate of West Memphis High School and attended the University of Memphis. He was passionate about music, mountain biking, computers and enjoying time at Horseshoe Lake. He was a phenomenal skeet shooter who appreciated Russian Literature, classical music, and creative cooking. He loved three women and loved them well, his mother, Barbara Morley Dodge, 79, of West Memphis, AR, his stepdaughter, Elise Hunter Cobb, 16, of Cordova, TN and his wife of 3 years and 24 days, Laura Cobb Dodge, 44, of Memphis, TN. There was one very important young man to whom he leaves a legacy of compassion, manhood and love, Jack Cameron Cobb, 11, of Cordova, TN. Wes was also a younger brother to Leila Dodge Springer, 51, of Memphis, TN and Kirk Chesire Dodge, 50, of West Memphis, AR. He was uncle to Jackson Carl Springer, 15, and Nell Dodge Springer, 11, both of Memphis, TN.
Wes once wooed a woman who later became his wife by spontaneously quoting Shakespeare's St. Crispin's day speech from Henry V without missing a word.
He sang beautifully but never knew it. Recently, he was able to see the pier he designed for his family's house near completion at Horseshoe Lake and brought him great happiness.
He was a gifted closet poet who spoke volumes with very few well-chosen words. One of his favorite memories was teaching his mom to snow ski in Wyoming when she was 69 years old.
Within the last week of his life, he had a wonderful family day riding in a kayak down the snowy hills of Shelby Farms with various dogs running downhill with him.
Wes was brilliant, gentle, kind and patient.
He was loved and he is missed.
Visitation will be Tuesday from 6:00-8:00 PM at Roller-Citizens Funeral Home in West Memphis, AR and funeral service will be 11:00 AM Wednesday at Holy Cross Episcopal Church in West Memphis, AR with interment following at Crittenden Memorial Park in Marion, AR.
'' The leaving I don't mind, it's the coming I crave.'' Townes Van Zandt.
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24 Condolence(s)
Lisa Skillman Lovely
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Dear Bobbi and family, I am just finding about Wesley WOO Woo I I called him growing up. I loved him in many ways from growing with him to have the priviledge of teaching him and seeing his brilliance first hand in the classroom. I know he will be missed and my thoughts and prayers go to your family.
Charles Stanford
Thursday, January 27, 2011
We are so sad to hear the news of Wesley's passing. What an incredible loss. You all have our deepest sympathy.
The Stanfords,
Charles, Jennifer, Holden, and Mary-Catherine
Bill Holloway
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
My most sincere sympathies to the Dodge family!
Pam Huston
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
The service today for Wes was lovely. I am praying for you and your family Laura.
Love Pam
Carolyn & KenTheis
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
We are SO sorry. We read Wesley's obituary in the paper tonight. We will be in touch. Love and prayers. Ken and Carolyn
Lea Ann Montgomery Denson
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
I saw Wesley from a distance in Wal Mart a few weeks ago, but never got close enough to speak.-I had not seen him in many, many years. Our time on this earth is short.-cherish each day. My prayers are with his family-may God comfort you.
Lea Ann Montgomery Denson
Joseph Jones
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
I am so sorry to hear this news. We have lost a good person. Me and this crazy man got ourselves in a "pickle" one night during "Delt" initiation. We were in the 10th and 11th grade. The members were suppose to pour water based paint on us and parade us around in the back of a pick up. When we got to car wash, we found out it was an oil based paint. We went to Wesly's house covered head to toe in dried white paint. His mom must have thought we were crazy. Wesley pulls out some terpintine and says, "this will take it off really good". Well it took it off good, alright. It also burnt our scalp and rest of our body. We were in pain for several days.
Karen Moise
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
I am shocked to hear of Wesley's passing at such a young age. I graduated from WMSHS with Wesley in 1984. He was our mascot and was loved by all there. I remember him as a style-maker. He used to always wear plaid pants. They were cropped above the ankle, by his choice, and he always wore New Balance sneakers with them. This was a "trademark" look for him. Re-emphasizing his trademark style at the Senior Prom was no problem for Wesley, as he wore a plaid cummerbund with cropped pants and New Balance sneakers to the event. I only knew Wesley casually back then. He was always friendly to me and others and quite dependable for a good laugh. Many students looked-up to him. When I think back on those days, and seeing Wesley in his signature style, or on the court or field getting folks pumped-up for the game, it puts a smile on my face. I pray for peace and comfort for all of Wesley's family and friends. Thanks for the Memories, Wesley…. ~karen moise
Anne C. Utley
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Laura: My prayers are with you and your family. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Wesley was such a sweet man and a friend of my sons.
Keno Anderson
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Laura
My family's deepest condolences go out to you, Elise, and Jack. We will miss Wes. He, like yourself, was a wonderful person. Hope to see you soon.
Pam
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Laura, our thoughts and prayers are with you. So sorry for your loss! Love you, The Leone's
Teresa Brown
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Dodge Family,
It may be difficult today to see beyond the sorrow but looking back in memory will help comfort you tomorrow.
Thinking about you during your loss,
The Brown Family
West Memphis, AR
Nan Lemons
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
I am planning on being at service Wed.
Doug Steinly
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Laura - my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your children. I am so sorry for your loss. Love you.
Cheryl and Maddie Jordan
Monday, January 24, 2011
Wesley, it was a pleasure and an honor to have known your sweet and kind soul upon this earth. You were a dear soul and brought so much love and happiness to others. You also had awesome taste in music! You will be missed dearly. May God Bless your soul. Our prayers are with the family.,esp. Ms. Bobby and Ms. Laura. We love you!
maureen spain
Monday, January 24, 2011
i didn't know wes, but he sounds like a phenomenal person. may peace be with his family, especially sweet laura.
Kathleen Gatewood
Monday, January 24, 2011
My Sincere Wishes of Condolences to the Dodge Families. We "classmates of '83" Will Miss You Dearly, we'll never let go of you~ keep up the poetry work & we'll all sing together when we reunite in heaven!!
Kathi Gatewood & The Gatewood Family
Donna Bailey
Monday, January 24, 2011
Thoughts and prayers to your family.
Patty Crawford
Monday, January 24, 2011
Laura, Wes is lifted up on Eagles Wings, we are left here on earth to hold each other. You and your family are in our thoughts daily. Stay close.
Amy Wilson
Monday, January 24, 2011
Dear Laura,
I never had the opportunity to meet Wes but I know he had to be special to have captured your heart! We are all praying for you and you know that you have a circle of sisters at Hope who love you dearly. I pray that God will give you and your family strength and faith to get through this and come out stronger on the other side. I am so sorry for your loss.
Love, Amy Wilson
Sarah and George
Monday, January 24, 2011
We are thinking of you..... So sorry for you loss.... We are here if you need us.
Sarah Caldwell and George Fortner
Judy Hrubes
Monday, January 24, 2011
Dear Laura and family,
My prayers go out for God's tender love to embrace you at this time. Even though I never met Wes, he must of been a very special man, since he was married to YOU.
Love you,
Judy
Nita Knox
Monday, January 24, 2011
Laura, I am so sorry for your lost & my prayers are with you and your family.
Linda Estes
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Wesley shone on the first day of first grade when, at the cafeteria table, he told me, his teacher, he'd have liked it better if I'd made him a bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich rather than what the cafeteria had prepared. His creativity was evident then, as well as his intelligence. I am shocked and saddened to learn that he is gone so soon. My condolences go out to all his family. God bless and comfort you.