Harley Dodson

Harley Dodson, who worked for the WSU Physical Plant Nov. 1971-Oct. 1992, died July 4, 2017 at the Whitman Health and Rehabilitation Center in Colfax.

Dodson, a longtime Palouse resident, was born June 26, 1927, in Melrose, N.M., to David and Lily (Lance) Dodson. He was the sixth of seven children: George “Monroe” Dodson, Mildred Cochran, Edna Chappell, Lena Smith, Grover “Boots” Dodson and Alene St. John. All of his siblings preceded him in death. 

He attended school in Melrose and farmed with his dad and brothers before moving to Hot Springs, N.M., (later renamed Truth or Consequences, N.M.). He held a variety of jobs, including custom harvesting and working for the highway department. Throughout his life, Harley was known as a very hard worker, seldom missing a day of work. 

In 1949, he moved to Grangeville, then to Spokane, where he was employed by Armour Meat Co. He was very proud to have missed only one day of work in his 22 years of employment there.

He married Olive Tomberlin Reetz on Aug. 30, 1966. In 1971, when Armour closed its Spokane operations, Harley and Olive moved to Palouse. He was employed by the Washington State University physical plant for 21 years, receiving various awards for service and attendance. He retired in 1992.

He and Olive enjoyed rodeos around the Northwest and gardening. She died in 1995.

Harley enjoyed driving to area restaurants daily for meals. When an accident ended his independent driving two years ago, he moved into Ladow Court Assisted Living in Garfield. Being able to walk to Grumpy’s Tavern on his own for lunch was very important to him. His family appreciates the many kindnesses of the Ladow Court staff, Grumpy’s employees and customers who looked out for him.

A broken hip in April landed Harley at Whitman Health and Rehabilitation Center, where again he received very good care. The family also would like to offer special thanks to Anita from Kindred Hospice.

Harley is survived by nieces and nephews David Dodson of Hauser Lake, Idaho; Donald Lee Cochran of Truth or Consequences; Jim Cochran, Glen Cochran and Janet Barstow of Palouse; Donna St. John of Wasilla, Alaska; Chuck St. John of Wenatchee; and Bram Chappell of Boerne, Texas.

Memorial contributions in Harley’s honor are suggested to the Whitman County Friends of Hospice, P.O. Box 484, Pullman, WA 99163; or to Ladow Court Assisted Living, P.O. Box 368, Garfield, WA 99130. Funeral arrangements were handled by Kramer Funeral Home of Palouse, kramercares.com.