George Carrol Dodd

George Carrol Dodd, 81, was born in Gilmer, June 23, 1942, to H.M. and Laurice Dodd, and after a battle with cancer passed from this life on June 13, 2024, at his home surrounded by family. A native of Upshur County, he grew up in the Enoch community and attended Gilmer Schools. He graduated from Gilmer High School in 1961 and then attended Stephen F. Austin State University. In 1964, he married his high school sweetheart, Claudia Lancaster. Together they raised four children, sons David and Jeff and daughters Tiffany and Colin. After Claudia’s death, he married again to Judy Pennington Rehkop, the mother of three children, sons Byron and Bradley and daughter, Shana. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where he served in various capacities including teacher, choir president, men’s group leader, mission leader, Bishop of a local congregation, and a leader over multiple congregations in the northeast Texas area. For more than fifty-five years, George enjoyed a career in the automobile business. He joined his father at his used car dealership in 1965 and together they transitioned it to a fleet resale operation, eventually becoming one of the largest in the nation. When his father retired in 1977, George and his brother-in-law, Tedd Austin, partnered to operate the company. During his career, he was actively involved in industry organizations. He served on the board of directors for the American Fleet and Leasing Association and as president of the National Association of Fleet Resale Dealers. George was a board member and past president of the Gilmer Area Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Gilmer Industrial Foundation board. For more than 40 years, he served on the East Texas Yamboree Association board where he oversaw the Queen’s parade. He was also instrumental in the creation of the Yamboree car show. In 1990, he was president of the 53rd annual Yamboree. He has served on the board of directors of the First National Bank of East Texas since 1986. In his leisure time, George enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and friends. He devoted many hours tending to his flower gardens. He was also an avid reader, particularly of books on historical topics or business-related issues. He was preceded in death by his parents, H.M. and Laurice Dodd, his wife, Claudia Lancaster Dodd, and his sister and brother-in-law, Jeannine and Tedd Austin. He is survived by his second wife, Judy Pennington Dodd; his sons, David Dodd and Jeff Dodd (Emily) of Gilmer, daughters, Tiffany Dodd de Gala (Steve) and Colin Dodd Metler (Jeff) of Springville, Utah; grandchildren Stevie, Yabsera, Ashley, Emma, Melat, and Kailani de Gala; JaneAnne, MaryKate Patey (Connor), Hunter, and Ellie Metler, all of Springville, Utah; Atticus and Harper Dodd, of Gilmer; niece, Kim Austin, and nephew, Bart Austin (Veronica), all of Gilmer; stepsons, Byron Rehkop (Hope) of Troup, Texas, Bradley Rehkop (Cindy), of Cedar City, Utah, and stepdaughter, Shana Nelson (Clay), of Cedar City, Utah. The family would like to extend a special thanks to George’s recent caregivers, Brent Hayden and Zach Altis. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., June 19, 2024, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1122 W. Pine Street in Gilmer. Interment will follow at the Enoch Cemetery. The family will receive friends at a visitation on Tuesday evening, June 18, 2024, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at McWhorter Funeral Home in Gilmer.

George Carrol Dodd

June 23, 1942 - June 13, 2024