Death of Dr. James Richard Dodson, former missionary to Congo

October 4, 1924 – September 21, 2010

 

Global Ministries is saddened to communicate that former missionary to Congo, Richard Dodson, aged 85, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 21, 2010, in San Antonio, Texas.  Dr. Dodson was born and raised in Bellefontaine, Ohio.  He graduated with a B.A. degree from Transylvania University, then received his Master of Divinity degree from Lexington Theological Seminary, and was ordained into Christian ministry on Jan. 1, 1950.  He received a joint educational doctorate from Columbia University and Union Theological Seminary in New York City. 

While studying to become a Disciple missionary, he met W. Joy Livingston, who also was studying to become a Disciple missionary to Africa, and they were married on June 10, 1950, in San Angelo, Texas.  Together, they served in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for 11 years.  Richard was the founding dean of the Congo Protestant University’s theological seminary in Lubumbashi. 

Dr. Dodson served as a director for the African-American Institute in New York City, then in Tanzania and in the Ivory Coast.  He was director of the Overseas Liaison Committee to the American Council on Education in Washington, D.C., and worked as a human resources and education consultant for USAID in Washington and then in the Democratic Republic of Congo (former Zaire). 

Richard Dodson is survived by his wife, Joy; his children, Janet DuGay, David Dodson, and Reverend Carol Richardson; grandchildren Shantala DuGay (Raghunand Iyengar), Christina Richardson, and Clint Richardson, along with a large beloved international family.  Services were held on Sunday, September 26, at the Chapel at Morningside Manor in San Antonio, Texas.  Messages of condolence may be sent to Joy and family at:  602 Babcock Road, Apt. 10, San Antonio, TX 78201-2669.

The family has requested that contributions in Dr. Dodson’s honor be made to Global Ministries, P. O. Box 1986, Indianapolis, IN 46206-1986 or online at:  http://globalministries.org/give/