Ronald Frederick Dodd's Obituary
Ronald Frederick Dodd of Georgetown, DE, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, December 25, 2025. He was born on November 11, 1933, at Morris Mill south of Georgetown, Delaware. 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 8th 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, the University of Delaware, the U.S. Army and the 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, Mr. Dodd 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.
Mr. Dodd was preceded in death by his wife Rebecca Williams Dodd after 56 years of marriage, by 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 and a grand-niece and 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 the 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.
Mr. & Mrs. Dodd 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 the 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 to 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. Mr. Dodd 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 Mr. Dodd enjoyed his brief acting career.
Mr. Dodd owned parts of Woodland Range, a land grant to the Dodd family from the King of England settled in 1681, located in Harbeson, Delaware. The property was designated a United States bicentennial Farm in 1976.
All friends and relations will remember him for his dedication, knowledge and Personality.
Friends may visit with the family on Saturday, January 11, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Dodd-Carey Chapel, 307 N. Bedford St., Georgetown, DE 19947. Interment will take place on Friday, March 14, 2025 at 12:30 PM at St. John's Cemetery at Springfield Crossroads, 22179 Grave Hill Road, Georgetown, DE 19947.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Mr. Dodd’s Memory to the local library of your choice.
Please sign Mr. Dodd’s Tribute wall at this site.
FLORIST NOTE: PLEASE HAVE ALL ARRANGEMENTS DELIVERED TO OUR GEORGETOWN LOCATION BY FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2025, BY 3:00 PM
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