Obituary of Paul A. Dodder

Coffeyville - Paul Alvin Dodder, 85, of Coffeyville passed away Saturday, January 9, 2010 at Windsor Place in Coffeyville. He was born January 20, 1924 at Washington, Iowa to Harrison and Leora (Taylor) Dodder. He grew up and attended school in Washington, and graduated from Washington High School in 1941. Following high school he went to California with a friend to work in the aircraft plants for the first two years of World War II. The following year he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp, and proceed through the various pilot training school, eventually being stationed at the Coffeyville Army Air Field, while stationed at Coffeyville he met Jayne Wiley. On March 24, 1945 he married Jayne Wiley at Coffeyville. A week after their marriage he shipped out to the European theater of the war, first being stationed in England, and later as the war progressed in he was stationed in Germany where he was a P-38 photo reconnaissance pilot, with cameras replacing guns, only carrying sidearm's. He had the dubious distinction of being one of the first pilots to be chased by an early version of the German self-propelled missile, which he outmaneuvered through the Alps, until the missile ran out of fuel and crashed. Following the end of the war, he was stationed in Nuremberg, Germany, and with no need to fly reconnaissance missions, was among those assigned as guards at the Nuremberg trials, mainly on the roof of the trial building, but was soon assigned to the trial proceedings inside, and each day was stationed within 10 feet of Goering, Goebbels, and other war criminals being tried. In May 1946 he returned to the United States, was honorably discharged and returned to Coffeyville where he saw his daughter, Terri, for the first time. Following his return to Coffeyville he worked for Funk Aircraft in Coffeyville. In January 1947 he enrolled at Coffeyville Junior College, after graduation he went on to Kansas State University in Manhattan where he received his Bachelor Degree in Business Administration in January 1950. While at Kansas State his son Steve was born. After completing his degree became an agent with Prudential Insurance Company working in Manhattan and Emporia, and later as Staff Manager at Enid, OK. He retired in 1985 and in 1982 Paul and Jayne returned to Coffeyville to make their home. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Coffeyville, serving as Elder, a member of Elliott-Funston-White V.F.W. Post #1022 and was Past Commander through his efforts the Post was able to obtain the tank and howitzer that are on display, he was a member of the Coffeyville Air Museum Board of Directors and was instrumental in obtaining donations to cover costs of obtaining an airplane for display on the pylon at the museum. Survivors include his wife, Jayne of the home; one daughter, Terri Warrem and husband Calvin of Topeka; one son, Steven Dodder and wife Nancy of Black Forest, CO; one brother Robert Dodder of Council Bluff, IA; six grandchildren; and eleven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers, Daryl Dodder and Richard Dodder. Services will be at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 12 2010 in the First Presbyterian Church with Pastor Diane Massey officiating. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery with military honors conducted by V.F.W. Post #1022 and American Legion Post #20. Friends may call on Monday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville. The family suggests memorials to the Alzheimer's Unit at Windsor Place, V.F.W. Post #1022, or the First Presbyterian Church; contributions may be left with the funeral home or mailed c/o David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 North Cline Road, Coffeyville, KS 67337. To leave a message for the family please visit http://www.dwbfh.com/ David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville is in charge of arrangements. Tagged as: American Legion, First Presbyterian Church, V.F.W.