Dr. Jon H. Dodson

Dr. Jon H. Dodson, Sr. was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas on January 21, 1939, to Theodore and Alpha Dodson. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1957. He attended the College of the Ozarks where he graduated with a major in Chemistry and Math-Physics. He attended the University Of Arkansas School Of Medicine in Little Rock where he obtained his doctorate degree in medicine. After graduating, he enlisted in the United States Navy where he was the medical doctor protected by the Marines during his stint in the Vietnam War. He was readily promoted to the rank of Commander, and served for over 19 years, and assumed to be the first high-ranking Black officer in the Navy. After he completed his radiology residency in Oakland, California, he moved to Little Rock in 1980, and incorporated the Forest Park Medical Clinic. He worked at Forest Park with his family until his health failed, and he retired after the Covid-19 pandemic. 

During his first marriage he fathered three children, Daina Criswell, Donna Mahoney (Shane), and Jon Harrol Dodson, Jr. (Stephanie). In January 1987 he married Ernestine (Ernie) Lovelace, and added two children to his legacy, Dr. Chris Dodson and Fretonzia Hickman (Christopher, Sr.). 

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Theodore (Ted) Dodson, and Warren (Buddy) Dodson. 

He leaves to mourn his passing, his wife, Ernie; his five children and eight grandchildren: Sean Criswell, Michael Mahoney, Christophe’ Dodson, Christopher Hickman II, McKenzie Dodson, Chrysta Dodson, Fehren Hickman and Chase Dodson, his two sisters, Dorothy Marcy and Vera Leonard (Lonnie), and his brother, Dr. William Dodson (Kathy); a special cousin, Elvin Staples; and a host of loving family and friends. 

Dr. Jon (Doc) served many people and volunteered with Ernie with at EMOBA, a non-profit organization and summer youth camp, for over 25 years. He dedicated his life to Christ and remained a member of Second Baptist Church.