Obituary of David I. Dodds

GOUVERNEUR - David Dodds, age 49, son of Janice and the late Roger Dodds, passed away in his home September 17, 2015. There will be a graveside service held on Tuesday, September 22, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Richville followed by a gathering at his parents' home at 64 Hull Road, Gouverneur. Arrangements are with French Funeral Home, Gouverneur. He was born April 29, 1966 in Gouverneur, NY. David is survived by his mother Janice Dodds; sister, Dawn Rajkowski and nieces Grace and Katie; brother, Dean Dodds and sister-in-law Sarah and nephew Taylor. His aunts and uncles included Joyce and Ed Shoff, Joan and Joe Lofink, Foster and Velvet Brown, and Harland Brown. First cousins Christine and Newell Helvie, Jody Hamilton, Martha and Peter Burt, Janet Hamilton, Elaine and Harry Duprey, Colleen Planty and son Connor, Lance and Brenda Scott with son Landon and daughter Eryn. Previously deceased family members include, Elva and Irving Brown, Florence and Elton Dodds. David was a 1984 graduate of Gouverneur High School where he was Captain of his varsity football team in 1983, and part of the 1982 Varsity football team that was part of the first class inducted into the Gouverneur High School Hall of fame. He was also the 1984 Section 10 division Wrestling champion. David was voted Prom King by his 1984 classmates at his Senior Prom. He started working in construction at age 18 with his father for Laborers union local 322, until a serious back injury disabled him while on the job. Some of the life experiences of David included the completion of Hunting and Fishing Guide School in Montana, where he then went to Colorado to work as a professional Guide. In later years after his accident, he achieved his license in taxidermy. One of David's favorite things was spending time with his hunting buddies as a member of County line hunting club #2. His extreme love of hunting, fishing and the outdoors was truly the focus of his life. Included in this passion was the fulfillment he received teaching new young outdoorsmen. David will always be remembered for his courage while battling this terrible Bi-Polar disease. Even though he took his own life, we know that he is now at peace, without pain, and is now hunting and fishing with his father. David will always be remembered for his huge heart, his bigger than life personality, his compassion for others, and most of importantly his love for his family. The family would want David's legacy to be that people show compassion, understanding, and patience for those with mental illness. His family has requested that instead of making donations in his memory/in lieu of flowers that you help another person out that needs it in one form or another and just continue to pay it forward. Condolences by be shared online at www.frenchfuneralhomes.com.