Laurence "Jim" Dodd, an admired educator, father, grandfather, and brother, passed away in his sleep on May 26, 2023. Born on November 25, 1938 in Marshalltown, IA, Jim leaves behind a son, Jim, of Grimes, IA, a son, Mike and his wife Jane, of Excelsior, MN and two beloved grandchildren, Sam and Laney. He also leaves behind his sister, Jane Klaver, of Webster City, IA and his former spouse Marti Dodd of Chanhassen, MN. He is preceded in death by his longtime companion, Sandy Gustafson; his parents, Laurence and Olive; and his brother-in-law, Del Klaver.
Growing up in Collins, IA, Jim attended Iowa State Teachers College for his BA degree in education. His master's degree was from Truman State University, and he received a Specialist degree from Drake University. He taught and coached at Milford Township and Edgewood-Colesburg in Iowa. He later served as a principal at Clear Creek and Ballard public schools in Iowa. At age 29, he became Superintendent of Schools at Harris-Lake Park, IA, and later at South Tama, IA. In 1985, he moved to Arizona and served the Humboldt School District in Prescott Valley, AZ. Though he retired in 1995 after 25 years in the superintendency, he went back to work as a school business manager in San Manuel, AZ for an additional 6 years.
Beyond his professional achievements, Jim enjoyed spending time with cherished friends, cooking, traveling around the world, and doing meaningful volunteer work, including helping to establish a soup kitchen during the pandemic.
Posted online on June 01, 2023
Published in Des Moines Register
Laurence "Jim" Dodd, an admired educator, father, grandfather, and brother, passed away in his sleep on May 26, 2023. Born on November 25, 1938 in Marshalltown, IA, Jim leaves behind a son, Jim, of Grimes, IA, a son, Mike and his wife Jane, of Excelsior, MN and two beloved grandchildren, Sam and Laney. He also leaves behind his sister, Jane Klaver, of Webster City, IA and his former spouse Marti Dodd of Chanhassen, MN. He is preceded in death by his longtime companion, Sandy Gustafson; his parents, Laurence and Olive; and his brother-in-law, Del Klaver.
Growing up in Collins, IA, Jim attended Iowa State Teachers College for his BA degree in education. His master's degree was from Truman State University, and he received a Specialist degree from Drake University. He taught and coached at Milford Township and Edgewood-Colesburg in Iowa. He later served as a principal at Clear Creek and Ballard public schools in Iowa. At age 29, he became Superintendent of Schools at Harris-Lake Park, IA, and later at South Tama, IA. In 1985, he moved to Arizona and served the Humboldt School District in Prescott Valley, AZ. Though he retired in 1995 after 25 years in the superintendency, he went back to work as a school business manager in San Manuel, AZ for an additional 6 years.
Beyond his professional achievements, Jim enjoyed spending time with cherished friends, cooking, traveling around the world, and doing meaningful volunteer work, including helping to establish a soup kitchen during the pandemic.
Posted online on June 01, 2023
Published in Des Moines Register
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