Kenneth Wayne Dodd

Kenneth Wayne Dodd, age 92 of Anna, died at 10:25 pm, Saturday, October 1, 2011 at the Illinois Veterans Home in Anna. He was born on September 4, 1919 in Jonesboro, the son of Addison B. and Ethel (Rushing) Dodd. Kenneth went through the Jonesboro grade school and onto Anna-Jonesboro High School, graduating in 1937. After graduating from high school he attended Southeast Missouri University in Cape Girardeau. In his last two years of school he got his pilot's wings and license before graduating in one of the first college Air Force training programs. When Kenneth finished college he was in the Air Force and attended Michigan State University for more advanced training. He was then sent to Santa, CA to the Army Air Force Base. He advanced from Palma, CA to Taft, CA where he completed the last of his training in single engine air planes. He continued to Marfa, TX where he received a new set of wings for double engine air planes. Kenneth trained in C-47's in Syracruse, NY and Louisville, KY. Kenneth's four squadrons flew 100 planes across the Atlantic Ocean to Africa, and then onto India where he was attached to the British Army in Burma. He flew bringing supplies and troops to Afghanistan, the Burma Road, Mandalay and China. He received the Air Medal with four stars, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Theatre Ribbon with three battle stars and complimentary Chinese Air wings. Kenneth had many difficult and dangerous weather experiences as he flew over both the Himalayan Mountains and the jungles entrenched with Japanese forces. In 1945, after he was discharged, he started working for the Illinois Department of Conservation, setting up the first controlled grass shooting area in the bottoms. Later he was employed by Olin-Matheson as a Midwest representative of their gun products. Kenneth set up controlled hunting in five midwestern states. Kenneth was also interested in horses, and he got into the Harness Horses Business, raising, training and driving them for many years. He and Diana travelled throughout much of the United States and saw many beautiful and historical places. Kenneth is survived by a sister-in-law, Betty Dodd; nieces, nephews and their families and his many friends. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 62 years, Diana; brothers, Lewis, Enos, Byron and Paul; his sister Ruth Evelyn Dodd. Graveside funeral services for Mr. Kenneth W. Dodd will be conducted on Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at 11:00 am at the Jonesboro Cemetery with the Rev. Joe Aldridge officiating. Burial will be in the Jonesboro Cemetery with military rites conducted by the Illinois National Guard Funeral Honors Team of Marion and the Carroll P. Foster Post #3455 of the VFW of Anna. In lieu of flowers, the family requested that memorial contributions may be made to the Illinois Veterans Home of Anna. Envelopes will be available at the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home of Jonesboro and the Jonesboro Cemetery at the graveside.