 DODGE, ANTONIO Puerto De Luna and Santa Rosa native, Antonio "Tony" Dodge passed away on Tuesday, September 23, 2014 in Albuquerque following a brief illness. He was 90. Antonio was born on July 12, 1924 in Santa Rosa, to the home of Henry Dodge and Dominga Madrid. Following the death of his mother, Antonio and his brothers and sisters moved to Puerto De Luna to live with his Grandfather Roman Dodge. He attended schools in Puerto De Luna and Santa Rosa and later in life attained an Associate Degree at New Mexico Highlands University. On June 2, 1946 he married Marcelina "Lena" Page in Puerto De Luna. He and his wife were faithful members of St. Rose of Lima Parish. Mr. Dodge was also a charter member of the Knights of Columbus Gabriel J. Coury Council 5146 and also a member of the 4thDegree. Mr. Dodge served during World War II, as a combat infantryman with the United States Army's 1st and 79th Infantry Division, achieving the rank of Technical Sergeant. Sergeant Dodge first entered combat on the beaches of Normandy, France in July 1944, and participated in numerous battles throughout France, Holland and Germany. During his service, he was directly involved in the liberation of Strasbourg, France, the Rhine River crossing and the liberation of several Nazi concentrations camps in Germany and Czechoslovakia. For his outstanding service, Sergeant Dodge was awarded the "Bronze Star". During his lifelong residence in Santa Rosa, Antonio was employed by the Santa Rosa Lumber Company as a carpenter and later was a self-employed building contractor. Prior to his retirement, Mr. Dodge taught Building Trades at Luna Vocational Institute in Las Vegas, NM and provided his many students with skills necessary to successfully run a construction business. When not working, he enjoyed writing Corridos (ballads), gardening, playing the guitar, hunting and fishing with his sons and daughters, watching boxing matches, playing card games with his friends and praying the rosary daily. Governor Martinez recognized Antonio for his outstanding lifelong accomplishments and model citizenry this past July, declaring Antonio's birthday, July 12, 2014, as "Antonio M. Dodge" day in the State of New Mexico. Antonio was preceded in death by his loving wife of 66 years, Marcelina who passed away on November 26, 2012, his parents, his siblings Felipe, Ascencion and Ramona Salazar. Survivors include his eight children, Anthony Dodge and wife Sharon of San Antonio, TX, Gloria Dodge-Campos of Albuquerque, Susan Dodge-Sanchez of Albuquerque, Nicholas Dodge and wife Gloria of Taylor Ranch, John Dodge and wife Kate Jesberg of Albuquerque, James Dodge and wife Linda of Santa Rosa, William Dodge and wife Kym of Albuquerque, Frank Dodge of Santa Rosa and Timothy Dodge and wife Marilyn of Santa Rosa. Also surviving are his sisters Juanita Chavez of Wichita Kansas, Anastasia Mendez of Phoenix, AZ, Nedina Robles of Clovis, NM, Emily Dodge of Albuquerque; brothers Domingo Dodge of Superior, AZ, and Rosendo Dodge of Phoenix, AZ; along with 25 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; and a host of relatives and friends. Rosary services will be held on Friday, September 26, 2014 at 7:00 PM from St. Rose of Lima Church in Santa Rosa. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, September 27, at 10:00 AM also from St. Rose of Lima Church. Burial will follow at the family plot at Nuestra Senora de Refugio Cemetery in Puerto De Luna. Serving as Pallbearers will be his sons. The family wants to give a special thanks to the staff at the V.A. Medical Center for the fantastic care provided to Antonio during his illness. All services for Mr. Dodge have been entrusted to the Chavez Funeral Home of Santa Rosa. To place an online condolence please visit our website at www.chavezfuneralhome.com
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