Today is the day when the Lord called Dannie home. The gentle spirit of a man lives on in our hearts and thoughts. He will be ever missed and those special times always cherished.

We are here today to remember Dannie Dodt. Dannie was 46 years old and born in Columbus, Ohio. Dannie or the "Dodster" as he called himself at times could usually be found with a smile on his face, a laidback attitude and his Swisher Sweets.

Dannie always said how much he loved his Mom and Dad and shared with me how lucky he was to have been adopted by such wonderful, kind. Loving parents. He said, "That's my Mom and Dad and the only ones I have ever known". He recognized how Mom and Dad made sacrifices for him growing up, from the endless gas and time Dad spent with him and the dirt bikes; to he and his circle of friends Mom always was busy cooking for. Dannie talked about how Mom and dad were always there for him no matter what and how blessed and fortunate he was.

Dannie was the father to one son, Jeremy Dodt. He would always share Jeremy's picture with everyone and say how proud he was of Jeremy. He was pleased that Jeremy turned out so smart and good looking, a prouder father couldn't be found.

We teased Dannie terribly sometimes, whether he had a leftover sandwich in his truck or a piece of fish on a plate in his room that would sit for hours, it never ceased to amaze everyone that he never got sick. When he got picked on for it, he would say he had a "car-b-que" going on and laugh. Dannie loved watching old episodes of Andy Griffith and watched the movie Days of Thunder so many times that he wore the tape out. Dannie always liked puttering on something, whether it was working on a golf cart, a weed whacker or a vehicle.

Living in Florida, Dannie was surrounded by a lot of retired people. He would help this neighbor with their golf cart, or another with a fix-up project. He always had time to help those in need and never thought twice about doing so. Dannie was kind and thoughtful to everyone and he touched the hearts of many people.

As Dannie got older it became way apparent that his favorite clothing of choice were his overalls. With Dannie's first pair of overalls everyone knew Dannie had found his heaven on earth. Here paints the picture of Dannie, a man most comfortable in overalls. Now toss him in the country near the Kentucky/Tennessee border and add a dear friend Evelyn and you knew Dannie was home. Dannie knew when he moved up there, that he finally arrived. It was here that Dannie found his niche. He had fences to mend, houses to repair and his dogs, Rufus & Junior were his constant companions. It is there that Dannie's soul will live on. The mountains were his true love.

Dannie was a multi-talented individual, he could read blueprints on one hand and turn a wrench with the other. He was smart, thoughtful and kind. Dannie was usually a gentle spirit but fiercely protective of those he loved.

I remember one Christmas when Pops was hanging up Christmas lights in the front window. There was one Christmas sign that should have said "Ho! Ho! Ho!" Well Dannie and I realized that Pops had hung it up backwards, it said "Oh! Oh! Oh!" Dannie and I were trying to decide if we should say something or let it go. We finally broke down and told Mom & Pops but it was only after we laughed ourselves silly. Some time has passed since that Christmas but that memory continued on and Dannie never let Pops live that down.

For Dannie, if something wasn't working one way, he'd think of another way to get tasks accomplished. Dannie didn't believe in doing things fast, he believed slow, methodical and meticulous.

Dannie came to know the Lord. Psalms 116 starting at verse 6 says: "the Lord protects the simple hearted; when I was in great need, he saved me. Be at rest once more O My Soul for the Lord has been good to you. For you O Lord have delivered my soul from death". It is with that joy in that peace that we can find comfort knowing that tonight Dannie is Feasting with the King.
Amen

Written by: Erica Mendenhall