Brenton Melvin Dodge

Brenton Melvin Dodge was born in Oroville, California on May 13th, 1928 to Melvin Oliver Dodge and Clarasa Ellen Salsbury. He was often referred to as the “Ultimate Gift” as he was born on Mother’s Day. Brenton was the oldest of four with a brother Myron and sisters Nevada and Lily Anna to follow. At a young age, a move to Lovelock, Nevada was in the cards and is where he grew up and attended High School, at which time he worked on various ranches and graduated from Pershing County High School in Lovelock, Nevada in 1946. On June 18th, 1946, soon after turning 18, and with the world recovering from another World War, Brenton would leave his home in Lovelock, Nevada and head to San Francisco, California to join the United States Marine Corp. He would go on to serve until being Honorably Discharged. Brenton met his wife Helen Blevins through friends and after a short courtship they would marry on March 12th, 1949 in Reno, Nevada. They would live in Reno, Nevada until 1956 and during that time started a loving family, bringing their sons, Warren and Kenneth into the world. While living in Nevada, Brenton would start a career with the United States Postal Service and would continue to work with the Postal Service after moving to Grants Pass, Oregon in 1956. He retired in 1983 to take care of his wife. Brenton had many activities he enjoyed, but gardening was at the top of his list. His yard was always in pristine shape and would often grow fruits and vegetables to use with many home cooked meals. Many times, he would be caught collecting seeds from a family member or friends’ yard to try his skills at growing something new. It is said that he never had to buy seeds from the store because of this. In addition to gardening, Brenton was passionate about collecting all kinds of items. Brenton and Helen would often go out to garage sales in search for those perfect items to add to his collection. He was also passionate about his Publishers Clearing House drawings. He would use the little prizes as gifts to the children and grandchildren. Bigger prizes that he received were a car and kitchen appliances. If someone went to visit him, he would invite them into his treasure room to pick out a special prize. He was also into genealogy and enjoyed watching John Wayne and Shirley Temple movies. Family was very important to Brenton and he made sure to make the effort to reach out to them individually as much as possible. Brenton had a kind heart and took care of his wife until her passing on January 4 of 2015. He was also a caregiver to a family friend and mother-in-law.until their passing. On September 18th, 2018 Brenton Melvin Dodge passed away in Lake Oswego, Oregon surrounded by his loving family. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Helen, parents Melvin and Clarasa, his brother Myron and sister Lily Anna. Brenton is survived by His Sister Nevada, children Warren (Marcy) and Ken (Nancy), grandchildren Jason (Joy), Andrew (Jennifer), Justina (Reyes), Lucas (Riley), McKenzie (John), and Miles, great-grandchildren Evan, Julia, Anson, Amelia, Theodore, William, Jordan, Zoe, Finn, Emma and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held on October 11th, 2018 at 1:00 PM at Weddle Funeral Service in Stayton, Oregon. A private interment at Likely Cemetery with his wife Helen will be forthcoming.