Ronald Frederick Dodd, Dodd-Carey Funeral Home owner

Ronald Frederick Dodd of Georgetown passed away peacefully at home Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024. He was born Nov. 11, 1933, at Morris Mill south of Georgetown. His parents, Frederick Louis Dodd and Florence Truitt Dodd, owned and operated the mill, chicken farm, Red Comb feed supply, Royal Flour, and dry goods businesses. He attended Stockley School through eighth grade, and he was proud of the record achieved by his rural classmates in their services to the Sussex County community. He continued his education at Georgetown High School, University of Delaware, the U.S. Army, and Eckels College of Mortuary Science, a division of Temple University. He was a member of the Kappa Alpha fraternity.

After an apprenticeship with Ronald James in Millsboro, Ronnie operated independently starting in 1957. He purchased the funeral services business of the Carey family in Georgetown, and he merged the Dodd-Carey Funeral Home in 1967. He served his community in this capacity for 30 years.

Ronnie was preceded in death by his wife, Rebecca Williams Dodd, after 56 years of marriage; his parents; and his three siblings, Hershel Dodd, Julia Dodd King and Jessie Dodd Lawson Wilkins.

He is survived by a nephew and a niece, a stepson, three grand-nephews, a grand-niece, many, many cousins, and adoptive cousins in Sussex County.

Always interested in local history and genealogy, Ronnie donated material and volunteer time to the Marvel Museum of Georgetown Historical Society. Countless hours were spent researching family genealogy. He participated in organizing Return Day and he was the town crier for three decades. He served on several library boards and remained a voracious reader.

Ronnie and Rebecca scientifically maintained large and diverse gardens. Many people had the benefit of their generosity and fruits and vegetables. They enjoyed cooking, and their many friends and local groups sampled the results. Ronnie's traditional pone graced many a Return Day party.

Ronnie was a musician and performed with other local singers in programs on WBOC TV, WWL, and other radio stations. He played several stringed instruments and had a pleasant singing voice. As a ballroom dancer, he was active with the Cotillion Club at Rehoboth Country Club and the Georgetown Christmas Club dances.

He became a master cabinetmaker, and pieces of his heirloom furniture are found in many homes in Delaware. He collected antique furniture pedigree from many prominent Delaware houses and was consulted frequently about antiques by dealers and collectors.

In 1988 after retirement, Ronnie was contacted by his successor Keith Parsell that Disney was filming "The Dead Poets Society" in Middletown and needed his 1953 Cadillac hearse for a funeral scene. Ronnie gladly participated and was also an extra as the funeral director in period-correct clothing of his own. The scene did not make it beyond the cutting room floor, but Ronnie enjoyed his brief acting career.

Ronnie owned parts of Woodland Range, a land grant to the Dodd family from the King of England settled in 1681, located in Harbeson. The property was designated a U.S. Bicentennial Farm in 1976.

All friends and relations will remember him for his dedication, knowledge, and personality.

Friends may visit with the family from 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Jan. 11, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Dodd-Carey Chapel, 307 N. Bedford St., Georgetown. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Ronnie’s memory to a local library of choice.

Visit Mr. Dodd’s Life Memorial webpage at parsellfuneralhomes.com.