WILLARD, Mo. — Rev. Orville Verdayne “O.V.” Dodson, 99, of Willard, Mo., passed away Feb. 10.
The son of Famous Lisbon and Birdie Oaks Dodson was born in Barry County, Mo. He attended Barry County public schools and graduated from Kimberly High School in Idaho in 1932. He received an associate of arts degree from Southwest Baptist College in 1942, a bachelor of arts degree from Oklahoma Baptist University in 1944, and bachelor of divinity and master of theology degrees from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1948.
O.V. Dodson
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After accepting Christ as Savior at an early age, he committed his life to Christ and surrendered to pastoral ministry in 1933. He was ordained by Fairview Baptist Church in 1935. He served as pastor of churches in rural Barry County, including First Baptist Church of Cassville for seven years. He was the pastor of First Baptist Church of Nevada from 1955-1979.
After retiring at Nevada and moving to Willard, he served as interim and then as associate pastor at Grant Avenue Baptist Church in Springfield for 10 years. He also served at First Baptist Church in Willard until 1996. First Baptist in Nevada honored him as pastor emeritus in 2001. He enjoyed fellowship with retired ministers in Greene County Baptist Association.
He preached in revivals throughout the Missouri Baptist Convention and traveled around the world with the Australia mission in 1964.
He was a member of the Southwest Baptist University 50-Year Club and was a Life Service Award recipient. He served as a trustee at SBU and at Golden Gate Theological Seminary, and as a member of the MBC Executive Board.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers; two sisters; and his wife of 58 years, Elaine.
He is survived by his wife of 17 years, Janice; a daughter and son-in-law; four stepchildren; two grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; 16 step-great-grandchildren; two brothers; and many nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces.
The family suggests memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church in Willard.
