Courtland Warren Dodds (98), most recently of Onaga, Kansas, died January 28, 2024, at the Onaga Health and Rehabilitation Center.
Courtland was born on March 1, 1925, at his parent’s home in Onaga, Kansas. His parents were Alfonso (Fonnie) Nelvin and Violet Myrtle (Rawlings) Dodds. Courtland graduated from Onaga High School in May of 1943.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in his senior year and received orders to report for duty the second week in June of 1943. He reported to Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri, where a troop train took him to Shepherd Field, Texas, for basic training.
Courtland married his childhood sweetheart Patricia Lee Grover on October 25, 1944. They were married in her parent’s home in Onaga, Kansas.
After his discharge from the service, Courtland was employed as a journeyman lineman and later a foreman for Kansas Power & Light for 40 years. He worked 8 years in Onaga, KS and was transferred to Seneca, KS where he remained the balance of his career.
Soon after his discharge from the service he enlisted in the 442nd Troop Carrier Wing at Richards Gebauer Air Force Base in Missouri. Courtland was recalled in October of 1964 for ten months. He completed 4 years of active duty and 16 years as a reservist in the U.S. Army Reserve.
Courtland was a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ at Seneca, Seneca Masonic Lodge No. 39, A.F. & A.M. where he attained the levels of Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandry, Seneca American Legion Post No. 21, and a life member of Seneca Post No. 7458 of the V.F.W.
Surviving Courtland are his two daughters, Diane (John) Harkness, Maple Hill, KS; Connie (Richard) Flammang, Climax Springs, MO; granddaughter Tracey Talley, Topeka, KS, and 2 grandsons, Michael Van Auken, Topeka, KS, and Jamie Stuke, Lee’s Summit, MO; 5 great grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandchildren.
Preceding him in death were his wife of 72 years, parents and sister, Romaine (Dodds) Millick.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, February 2nd at the First Congregational Church, UCC in Onaga. A visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. until service time. Masonic Rites will follow at the church. Burial with military honors will be conducted by Onaga Area Veterans and the Kansas Army National Guard.
