William Duval Averre (1966)

Randy Jennings (1963)

Coach Dodd and I have become very close over the last 5-6 years, I would seek his advise on things having to do with the CMA Reunions, picking his memory about the first few years at Maxton. He was helpful with the history of the school and his students as well as information on faculty members we needed info on for the nomination and presentations of the Col. Leslie C. Blankinship Memorial award of Excellence. Ed was always willing to help. He told me last week how excited he was that he was coming to the reunion.

I did not have any classes with Coach Dodd during my time at CMA in 1962/63 and did not participate in sports because I was in the band. But I have heard during our reunions about howrespect his students and athletes respected and learned from him.

He has certainly gained my respect from his great and lasting support of the CMA Alumni Association.

I will share a little story that Ed's Wife Ada Grace shared with me this morning, just last week he had told her how much he was looking forwarding to coming to the beach and seeing his boys. She said he loved being called Coach, and we were the only people that called him that anymore. She also confided in me that Ed had died Tuesday afternoon while doing something he loved to do. Ed had bought a Kubuto lawn tractor last year and all winter he told her that he could not wait until the spring to start cutting his 5 acres of grass. He told her that he had a lot of great talks with the Lord while he was cutting grass on his tractor. She said she found Ed slumped over on his tractor late Tuesday afternoon.

Rest In Peace my Friend

Thomas Ward (1963)

Some years ago I attended a reunion at MMI. As I was talking to a faculty member he informed me

that Ed Dodd had returned as a faculty member. I informed the faculty member that he probably

would not remember me. From the next room I heard," You bet I do". I was then reacquainted with

my former biology teacher.

When I came to CMA that first year, I was pleased to see Coach Dodd. He was my track coach,

I ran the mile. I attended one of his classes however I cannot remember which one. He was always

there to help and encourage his team members as well as his students. I too was looking forward to

seeing him at the reunion this year. It was an honor to have known him and I will miss seeing and

corresponding with him. May our Lord welcome him into His Heavenly Kingdom and may He watch

over, guide, comfort and bless his family and loved ones.

Respectfully,

Tom Ward

Charles E. (Charlie) Heye (1964)

Coach Ed Dodd,

What a great man. We are very sad to learn of his passing. His guidence on the track team was that of a great mentor. He pushed us all hard, but we became better as a result of his guidence. He will be mised. God bless his family, our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Regards,

Charlie Heye

L. S. (Scott) Blankinship (1963)

I first met Ed Dodd in 1954 when he was a senior at Millersburg Military Institute (MMI) in Kentucky.  This was my dad’s first year as President of MMI, and I was in the third grade. During the school year, the cadets ate in a large mess hall on campus, and my family ate in the mess hall with the cadets.  The hall was filled with large tables accommodating up to eight purple each.  Every other month, the table assignments would rotate, and in one of these rotations, Ed showed up at our table.  Ed was always cheerful and kind, and I liked him right off.  I always enjoyed talking with him.  After graduation Ed went on to college and a stint in the Air Force.  He then returned to teach at MMI, and in 1962 he joined my father in standing up CMA.  I believe he taught mathematics and science and was our track coach.  I got to know Ed better during the summer of 1962 when a group of teachers and prospective CMA cadets came to Maxton for the summer to help ready the school for its opening that September. Ed was always around and was a big help in keeping the younger work force focused on the tasks at hand.  He was our track coach and provided all of us valuable advice to improve our capabilities. He was always jovial and accommodating.  After I graduated in 1963, I never saw Ed until one of our early reunions. Ed had not changed one bit; still the same warm jovial personality.  We had lots of talks about my Mom and Dad and of those distant days past at CMA and MMI.  How great it was to sit and talk with him. I will miss him tremendously.  Carol and I are so very saddened over the loss of Ed, although he is now in a much better place.  Our deepest sympathies go out to Ed’s family and friends.