Michael Wellesley Dodds

Mike was born October 31st, 1944, in South Dakota to Arthur and Roberta Dodds. His family included brothers Tim, Patrick and Danny. His family eventually moved to California, where he attended Los Altos High School and San Jose State University. He was a stellar athlete and excelled in both wrestling and baseball. After college, Mike joined the United States Army and then married Cathleen Argo, also from Los Altos. They became parents to a his only child, a baby girl they named Tanya. Upon leaving the Army, Mike joined the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Department where he became an exemplary Deputy and was a member of their Off-Road Team. He later became a private investigator and then, after moving to Washington State, worked as an ABC agent for the State and at Orca Marine. Mike was known to have a great sense of dry humor. He loved being a father and, later, a grandfather. He had many good friends and kept close relationships even with those as far back as high school. He had many hobbies and was a master welder, a passionate photographer, and a collector of old things. He loved dirt-bike riding and road trips. He loved nature and fishing. He was well read and was a walking encyclopedia on many subjects. He had a great love of music- ranging from Ray Charles to Mac Davis to Andrea Bocelli. He had dreams to pan gold throughout the U.S. and loved Yellowstone and the California Redwoods. Everything Mike embarked on, he did with great passion. And throughout it all, the thing closest to his heart was raising his daughter, Tanya. He was, without fail, a wonderful father. Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Roberta, and by his brother, Danny. He is survived by his brothers, Tim and Patrick, his daughter, Tanya and his grandchildren, Jenna and Joshua Boston. Mike will be missed by many and loved forever by all who knew him. He brought great joy, love and laughter to our lives. We have been blessed to have known him and are better people because of it. Rest in Peace, you wonderful man.