Philip Dodson

Philip Dodson, 83, of Climax, passed away Tuesday, October 28, 2025.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at Bryant Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Lynn Hurley and Pastor Steve Poppell officiating. Interment will follow at Cedar Grove Cemetery with Marty Butler, Matthew Cook, Steven Miller, Zack Sims, Brad Dodson, Troy Butler, Casey Medley, and Terry Clark serving as active pallbearers.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Monday, November 3, 2025, at Bryant Funeral Home. Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.bryantfuneralga.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Climax Methodist Church, PO Box 96, Climax, GA 39834 or Cedar Grove Cemetery Fund, PO Box 247, Climax, GA 39834.

Morris Philip Dodson was born April 6, 1942, in Jacksonville, FL, the son of "Doc" & Evelyn Phillips Dodson. He was a graduate of Attapulgus High School and proudly served his country in the United States Air Force. Shortly after high school, Philip married Rita Medley, and they made their home in Climax. Philip worked with Johnson Controls as a plumber & pipe fitter for 20+ years, retiring to enjoy the simple things in life. He was a charter member of Climax Community Club, instrumental in Swine Time, served on the Cedar Grove Cemetery Committee, and was an active member of Climax Methodist Church.

Philip was a "jack-of-all-trades" who loved to tinker with everything from gardening to building bird houses. The caveat was every project was completed on his timeline and his way. The guarantee was everything he committed to, he gave 110% effort.

As a natural storyteller, Philip always included a little history and usually made a connection to nature. His spin was positive, and his voice was happy and comforting. In fact, confirmations usually included "Man, yeah."

His servant's heart was evident in his love for family, church, and community. Philip gave generously to those in need, serving as an example of the hands and feet of Jesus. Favorite memories centered around Sunday lunches and holidays when all his people were together.

Philip loved big, was the best girl dad/granddad/great-granddad, and treated every person he met like family. He was good to his core, never complaining, and always finding the good. Everyone who knew him, will hear "Hey youin" and simply know they were loved by Philip Dodson.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Rita Medley Dodson; his children, Kelly Dodson Butler and her husband, Marty, and Tracy Dodson Poppell and her husband, Steve; his grandchildren, Alicia & Matthew, Whitney & Zack, and Emilee & Steven; his great-granddaughter, Chloe; his siblings, Theron Dodson (Kathy), Jackie Dodson, and Ellie Butler (David); his sister-in-law, Marilyn Dodson; and a host of extended family. In addition to his parents, Philip was preceded in death by his brothers, James Dodson and Walter Dodson.