Mr. Larry Gene Dodson, 86, passed away quietly at home on Monday, December 21st, 2015. Larry was born in Pitcher, Oklahoma to the late William and Effie Louise [Butts] Dodson and has lived here in Lake City, for the past several years.  As a young man Larry joined the United States Navy and then transferred over into the newly formed United States Air Force, where he served his country faithfully during the Korean Conflict. During the Vietnam War, Larry worked with the Civil Service as a helicopter supervisor mechanic. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, & great grandfather, who enjoyed flying, golf, fishing and serving others as a volunteer shuttle bus driver for Shands Lake Shore Hospital. Larry was a dedicated servant to his Lord & Savior, a retired Pastor of the former, First Baptist Church of Suwannee River and as a beloved member of Gateway Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, William Earl Dodson, sisters, Eva Johnson and Marie Hogue.

Survivors include his caring wife of 49 years, Katherine Dodson of Lake City, FL: sons, Donald (Denise) Dodson of Lake City, FL, Scott D. Dodson of Atlanta, GA, and Rick (Pat) Stevenson of Old Town, FL; daughters, Deborah (Voorhees) Joel of Bermuda, Karen Dodson Abernathy of OH, and Kathy (Ted) Dodson Harrigan of Atlanta, GA; 22 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. on Monday afternoon, December 28th, 2015 in the Gateway- Forest Lawn Memorial Chapel, with Pastor Steven Greene officiating. Visitation with the family will be held one hour prior to service time (1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.) at the funeral home.  Gateway-Forest Lawn Funeral Home, 3596 South US Hwy 441, Lake City, Florida, 32025. Online at www.gatewayforestlawn.com