Roland Keith 'RK' Dodgion, Sr.

Roland Keith Dodgion Sr., age 94, was born on February 26, 1928, in Acme, Oklahoma, to Edgar and Sally Dodgion.  He passed away in Norman, Oklahoma, on June 15, 2022.

Roland grew up in Rush Springs on his family’s farm.  He joined the Merchant Marines in 1944, at the age of 16, serving as a seaman on the Liberty Ship in the Pacific.  He then joined the U.S. Army’s 127th Airborne ENG 11 A/B Division and served in World War II as a paratrooper in the Pacific, later being stationed in Japan.

Roland married the love of his life, Genevieve Phillips, on September 25, 1948, in Wichita Falls, Texas.  They were happily married for 70 years.

Roland worked for Oklahoma Natural Gas for 36 years as a technician.  He was an All-State Basketball player and ran track.  He was a member of the Norman Lion’s Club, played in competitive bowling leagues with his wife, and was a member of the ONG Ongoers group for many years.  He spent countless hours enjoying working on his farm and driving his tractors.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time outdoors with family and friends.

Roland loved going to shows in Branson, Missouri, with his wife and taking spontaneous road trips.  He loved strumming his guitar and listening to country and western music.  He enjoyed gardening, yard work around the house and planning the next social gathering.

Roland was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar Lee Dodgion and Sally Sarah Virginia Mae BumGardner; his wife Genevieve; daughter, Paula Dodgion Crawford; brother, Paul; and sister, Maxine.  He is survived by son, Roland Keith Dodgion, Jr. and wife Jerri Dodgion; grandchildren: Rayma Porter, Eric Crawford and wife Karena, Heather Benenati, Rachele Reagan, Scott Crawford and wife Melissa, and Kristie Dodgion; and great grandchildren: Christopher Laidacker, Erin Crawford, Matthew Crawford, Derek Degeare, Brooke Reagan, Leah Crawford, Jonathan Benenati, Ember Crawford, Jacqueline Benenati, Carys Crawford, Jamison Benenati, Blake Porter, Corban Crawford, Charlotte Vanwoerkom, Adalynn Vanwoerkom, Aurora Laidacker and Lakota Degeare.

Roland was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, great-great grandfather and friend.  He touched the lives of many and will be missed dearly.