Johnny Dodson , 73, of Center, passed away Monday, March 9, 2026, in Nacogdoches.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, March 13, 2026, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m.  Bro. Ruston Bush will officiate, assisted by Jordan Jackson and Dennis Crowley.  Interment will follow at Good Hope Cemetery in Shelby County.

Born July 12, 1952, in Center, Johnny is the son of Jesse Dodson and Mary Agnes Thedford Dodson.  Johnny loved talking about his high school athletic career, when he lettered in sports.  He later coached Little League Flag Football and was a die-hard Dallas Cowboy fan. Johnny was employed with Thompson Drywall in Shreveport, and was a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church in Center.

Survived by his wife, Joann Dodson; children, Keith Askew and wife Michele, Faitha Bourn and husband Craig, Angela Cruse and husband Dewayne, and David Dodson and wife Ashlen; daughter-in-law, Charmin Dodson; grandchildren, Brittany Burch and partner Orrin Uptergrove, Jared Cook and partner Lindsey Graham, Macey Keen and husband Drennon, Peyton Askew, Trinnity Hutzler and husband James, James Ray and Dakota Joe, Malerie Dodson, Madison Willis and husband Cale, and Presleigh Smith; great grandchildren, Jasper Uptergrove, Chase Cook, Conner Cook, Ace Keen, Kye Keen, Braleigh Keen, John Riley, Madalynn, and Riot James, Rowan and Banks Willis.

Preceded in death by parents, Agnes and Jesse C. Dodson; sister, Jessie Dodson; brother, Tommy Dodson; sister, Mildred Vaughn; sons, Danny Joe Dodson, Dana Poole and Stepson Clint Fenton.

Pallbearers will be Jason Burch, Michael Hooks, Walter Anderson, Jerry Mark Sanford, Rodney Jackson, and Michael Henry Bush.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Jason Jackson and Josh White.

A special thank you to Baylor Hospital in Dallas for the transplant he received that gave him extra life, and the donor that saved his life. Thank you to Nacogdoches Medical Center ICU doctors and nurses for taking the best care of him in his final days.