Richard Dodd

Richard "Bird Dog" Dodd, Jr., age 77, of Rome, GA, died Thursday, May 31, 2012, in a Rome hospital.

Mr. Dodd was born in Leesburg, AL, on March 9, 1935, the son of the late Richard Dodd, Sr. and the late Bessie Herrin Dodd. He had been a resident of Rome and Floyd County for the past 70 years and was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church. Mr. Dodd was a retired pipefitter from Local #72 Plumbers and Steamfitters of Atlanta and a member of Local #766 of Rome and was a Mason and Shriner. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force and was stationed in Germany for 3 years. He was a member of the Shanklin-Attaway Post 5 of the American Legion. Mr. Dodd loved traveling with his wife, Nancy, and enjoyed spending time with family and friends, especially his brothers from Local #766. He was an avid sports fan, enjoyed watching sports with his son, Mark, particularly Georgia Tech sports. In the last few years he also enjoyed helping his son, Pat, establish and run Ground Pounders Motorcycle Shop where he was affectionately known as "Pops". Mr. Dodd also loved to spend time with his grandson, Chris, who held a special place in his heart. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Alice Cooper and Etta Moon, and five brothers, Henry (Bud) Dodd, Howard, F.L., Harold and Doyle Dodd.

Mr. Dodd is survived by his wife of 53 years, Nancy Harless Dodd, to whom he was married on January 16, 1959; two sons and daughters-in-law, Patrick and Renee Dodd of Rome, and Mark and Tonia Dodd of Cedar Bluff, AL; one grandson, Chris Dodd of Rome; special nieces, Kathy Edwards, Carole Buffington, Sheryl Bell and Joetta Bolton; and special nephew, D.J. "P.J." Morgan. Several other nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.

Funeral services for Mr. Dodd will be held this (Saturday) afternoon at 2:00 p.m. in the Parkview Chapel of Fred Talley's Funeral Home with Chaplain Gary Batchelor and Student Minister, Matt Smith, officiating. Interment will follow in the Oaknoll Memorial Gardens.

The family received friends Friday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Fred Talley's Parkview Chapel Funeral Home.

Pallbearers are asked to meet at the funeral home this afternoon by 1:30 p.m. and include Tony Walker, Herman Brock, Steve Holland, Bernard Brown, David Bell and Troy Buffington.

The Christian Motorcycle Association will serve as an Honorary Escort.

Please visit www.talleysparkviewchapel.com to share memories and send condolences to the family of Richard "Bird Dog" Dodd, Jr.

Fred Talley and the Staff of Fred Talley's Parkview Chapel Funeral Home are serving the family of Mr. Richard "Bird Dog" Dodd, Jr.