Jim Dodd

Coach Jim Dodd, born July 31, 1946 to Raymond and Helen (Ofield) Dodd of Cerro Gordo, passed away suddenly on June 27th. In his 50 years of coaching in Cerro Gordo, Bethany, Sullivan, Arthur, Decatur, Springfield, Atwood-Hammond, Lovington, Buffalo, Bloomington, Champaign-Urbana, Peoria, and Charleston, IL, St. Louis, MO, Cooksville, TN, Vincennes, IN, and Savannah, GA, Jim touched the lives of thousands of sports players. He coached baseball, basketball, football and softball at local schools, during summer sports and camps, and at several out-of-state colleges and venues. His last venue was six years as softball coach at Savannah State University in Savannah, GA, while he also volunteered at Fort Pulaski National Monument there. He always said it was all about the kids, but he coached adults who continued to play, too. He was proud of the players who went to Pro sports, but he was proud of everyone who did their best. He was involved with the organization and administration of several sports programs including, organization and President of Okaw Baseball/Softball Association 38 years, President of Bethany Baseball Association 7 years, organized Bethany girls softball and boys baseball 7 years, Field Director Pony Baseball Association 21 years, organized Cerro Gordo Youth League basketball 30 years, reorganized and implemented American Legion baseball programs at Cerro Gordo and Sullivan. He worked 35 years at PPG, before retiring to coach full-time. He was an avid volunteer, and when he saw a need, stepped up to fill it. His volunteer work included, Fort Pulaski National Monument, Berry Mountain Park (F.Kerr Scott Lake COE), Tybee Pirate Fest, Board of Directors of Decatur Sports Foundation, Cerro Gordo Summer League Activity Program, Decatur Celebration, Summer Start and Cerro Gordo "Fat Hill Fest" for 20+ years, Special Olympics events: softball and basketball, Men's National Fast-Pitch softball tournaments, Statistician for various teams and sports tournaments, Grounds Maintenance at Borg Warner Fields, and Announcer WSOY radio for Stephen Decatur High School basketball and statistician. He was also a loving husband, father, step-father and grandfather. He is survived by his daughter, Carly Ferguson (Dustin) and their two children, Isaiah and Aiden, all of Lexington, NC. He married Sherry Davis in 2000, and became step-dad to Lisa Davis Barnes (Bradley), William Davis (Gwen) and Benjamin Davis (Ashllee), all of Decatur, and grandfather to Jimmy Barnes, Connor and Chloe Davis, and Josh and Jerod Wells of Statesboro, GA. He will be sadly missed by his family, friends and players who benefitted from his coaching. His life will be celebrated at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, July 2, 2015, at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home, Decatur, with visitation 5-9 P.M. Wednesday, July 1, at the funeral home. Burial will be in Cerro Gordo Cemetery, Cerro Gordo, IL. Memorials may be made to the Buffalo Tri-City Basketball Program or any athletic program of your choice. "
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