Patty Dodson
Patricia L. “Patty” Koonce Dodson, 57, passed away Nov. 22, 2020, surrounded by her family in Comanche after her courageous battle with cancer.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Heartland Funeral Home of Comanche. A graveside service celebrating Patty’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 29, in the Oakwood Cemetery in Hamilton with Pastor John Delarosa officiating. The family will greet friends 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday.
Patty was born Aug. 13, 1963, to Gene and Wanda Koonce at Fort Wolters Army Base in Mineral Wells. Being an “army brat,” Patty and her family traveled the States and also lived in Germany. After her Dad retired, the family settled in Texas, and Patty graduated from Hamilton High School in 1981.
In 1983, Patty was blessed with her first niece, Jennifer Sue Cozby, and immediately gave her the nickname “Turk.” Jennifer was like Patty’s daughter, and she spoiled her from the day she was born. Patty and Turk made and shared many memories through the years. “I love you Turk.”
In 1983, Patty met the love of her life, Harvey Joe Dodson, and they married on March 16, 1984. With this union, Patty gained two daughters, Sheila and Rhonda.
In 1990, Patty and Harv accepted a correctional officer position with the Texas Department of Corrections Coffield Unit. In 1992, Harv and Patty opened the Robertson Unit where Harv retired with 20 years of service as a Sargent of Correctional Officers, and Patty retired with 22 years and 10 months as a Correctional Officer.
Patty loved her Robertson family and established many life-long relationships.
After retirement, Patty and Harv settled in Comanche and shared an amazing life together. Together, they enjoyed cooking, dancing, camping and traveling to chili cook-offs and music festivals. Patty’s greatest joy was being a “memaw” to her grandkids and great-grandkids. Patty loved and cherished them all.
In 2020, Patty met Nicky Lavender and son Dylan. In Patty’s last months of precious life, Nicky and Dylan brought joy and laughter to her.
Patty is survived by Nicky Lavender and his son Dylan; her loving daughters Jennifer Cozby and wife Kimberly, Rhonda Dodson and Jeff Barnhart and Sheila Dodson Guerra; grandchildren Dustin, Whitney, Kalob, Taylor and Tyler; great-grandchildren, Haily, Sophia, Mia, Dakota and Brayden; sisters Ginger Bottlinger, Donna Bryant, Pam “Quimby” Anderson and husband Steve; brothers, Ron Koonce, James “Bo” Koonce and wife Tammy and Joe Wilkins and wife Tina; sisters-in-law, Patsy and husband John “Rudy” Delarosa and Rebecca Batey; brother-in-law Tony Dodson; and several nieces, nephews and friends.
Patty is preceded in death by husband Harv Dodson; parents Gene and Wanda Koonce; and sisters Sue Cunningham and Pat Koonce.
Condolences to the family can be left online at heartlandfuneralhome.net or come by the funeral home to sign Patty’s register book.
