Jesse E. "Skip Callhan" Dodson

Jesse E. "Skip Callahan" Dodson, born on August 29, 1942, in Brookville, Indiana to Emily Latham and Virgil Dodson. He passed away on January 13, 2025 at Fairfield Medical. The name "Skipper" was lovingly bestowed upon him by his grandfather Latham, a moniker that stuck throughout his life. His grandpa owned a boat and called him 'little Skipper' because he would help stear the boat. He was known affectionately as "Skip" and was a lifelong resident of the east end of Lancaster, Ohio where his mom, Emily Callahan, and his aunt Lottie, Louise and Ruth raised him. Skip was the oldest and had 4 sisters; Mary Jo, Patty, Colleen, and Cheryl. He was their protector when they were young, the "man of the house". He also was the oldest of 3 sibling from his dad (Jack, Mary Jane, and Danny Dodson). He worked for Jimmy's Drive-In, in Lancaster, for years as a cook. He met his first wife, Janie, there and they got married and had a daughter, Jackie Lynn. Janie passed away in 1991. In 2008, he found love again with Michelle Dodson, with whom he shared a bond until his death.

As a young adult, he traveled west and lived in Las Vegas, NV and Laughlin, NV and traveled across country for work until moving back to Ohio and settled down in Somerset, Ohio, where he cherished the 1 acre of land that he purchased with his first wife, Janie, in 1987. Skip had a a passion for life that was evident in every endeavor he undertook. He spent many years traveling across the country, selling blankets, jewelry and toys in festivals and Indian Pow Wows. He wouldn't tell someone off if they called his a "CARNI" - he was a traveling sales man and could sale anything to anyone, and loved every moment of his travels. There wasn't anything he couldn't do; cook, mechanic, builder, son, brother, husband, Dad, but GRANDPA was his favorite title. Skip also loved playing cards. He thought of himself as a "professional player". He would have weekly family poker games at his house. He lived for those games. Even traveled to play in poker tournaments.

Above all, Skip was a man who embodied the tough-guy persona, famously declaring, "I am a MANS - MAN!" His presence was larger than life, often drawing comparisons to a retired mafia figure or "Kenickie" from the movie Grease, with his tall stature and slicked-back hair. His smile was infectious. He was grumpy as he got older but it was because life was hard for him. Nothing came easy, and he had great loss but LIVED to despite the devil. Even after facing loss, losing Janie and his nephew Lee in his home in 1991, lost his youngest sister, Cheryl, in a car accident 2006, and had a devastating fire in 2020 that claimed all of what he had, Skip remained steadfast in his love for his home in Somerset. He was moved by the community that helped him get a camper so he could live on his property, that is where he felt at HOME and at peace. If he had it his way -that is where he wanted to die in his sleep - on HIS LAND!

Skip was a proud father to his only child, Jackie Lynn, and a devoted grandfather to his numerous grandchildren: twins Becky (and her three children), Jesse (also with three children), David Lee (and wife Candy, who has four children), and youngest son John. He also welcomed stepchildren Michael (and wife Tasha, who has three children), Alichia (with two young children and one on the way), and Dakota (with one child) into his life, embracing them as part of his ever-growing family. Skip is survived by his beloved wife Michelle, his daughter Jackie, and an extensive family that will carry his legacy forward. He is also remembered by his siblings: Mary (Bob) Sinz, Patty (Jerry) Troidl, and Colleen (Bret) Dunkle, along with a deceased sister, Cheryl Smith Sundid. Cheryl's first husband Virgil "Cap" Smith is still living and was a great friend.

He will be missed dearly, but we know Skip is somewhere playing cards with his wife Janie, his Mom, aunt Louise and Ruth, his sister Cheryl, his nephew Lee, his niece Sandy and his best friend, Louie. They are cracking jokes and trying to cheat to win those nickels and quarters. Talking about all the chaos, laughter, and drama of our family, which is NEVER A DULL MOMENT. Skip's legacy of hard work, love for family, and unwavering spirit will be missed by all who knew him.

He was a simple man and didn't have much and fell on hard times. The land he lived on was only valuable to him. He cherished every moment there. He wasn't wealthy, but valued love and time with family. A graveside service will take place on February 13, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at Maple Grove Cemetery, Lancaster, Ohio. He will be laid to rest beside the love of his life, Janie Dodson.