John Allen Dodson

John Allen Dodson, 83, one of Kingsport's most active civic leaders and distinguished citizens, passed away May 18 at Asbury Place following an extended illness. Mr. Dodson was born June 9, 1930 in Rutledge, TN. He received a BS in Pharmacy from the University of Tennessee, Memphis, and served in the U.S. Army's Medical Service Corps from 1952 to 1955, including assignments in Korea and Japan.

Following his discharge, he received a phone call to come to Kingsport and work as a pharmacist in the old Freels Drug Store downtown. While there, he met a young native Kingsporter, Jean Pyle, and the two were wed in 1956. She survives him after nearly 58 years of marriage.

John became chief pharmacist at the then-Holston Valley Community Hospital (now Wellmont) in 1958, moving into administration first as Assistant Executive Director, becoming Executive Director in 1974. John served in this role for 15 years, becoming President and CEO of the newly-created Holston Valley Health Care Inc. until his retirement in 1991. During John's years of service Holston Valley grew from a community hospital to a major regional care center offering a wide range of tertiary services.

In his professional life, Mr. Dodson was appointed to numerous boards by the State of Tennessee, served in various roles with the Tennessee Hospital Association (THA), including Chairman of the Board, and received the THA's Distinguished Service and Community Service Awards. He also served as an adjunct faculty member of the ETSU College of Medicine for six years.

Mr. Dodson also leaves an indelible imprint on Kingsport through his service with numerous community boards and organizations, including the Greenbelt Advisory Committee, Clean Kingsport Council, Symphony Orchestra Association of Kingsport, Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce, Bays Mountain Park Association, Friends of Kingsport Public Library, and many others. A Rotarian, and a Past President of the Kingsport Rotary Club, Mr. Dodson received two Paul Harris awards in recognition of his community service, as well as the Kingsport Times-News Outstanding Citizen Award, and the Governor's Award of Merit.

But perhaps Mr. Dodson will be best remembered by many for his love of cooking. John and Jean hosted memorable fundraising multi-course "garden to table" dinners, featuring produce from their backyard garden as well as John's gourmet cooking and wines from their cellar. These benefited various non-profit organizations, primarily the Holston Valley Health Care Foundation, and were held in their Catawba Street home as well as Allandale over many years.

Mr. Dodson was a prostate cancer survivor; he began a Prostate Cancer Support Group and published a cookbook, Cooking Healthy with John Dodson, to support the group's activities. He also loved hiking and completed a number of long-distance walks in Europe with his son Allen, and later with Jean. He loved speaking to organizations about these experiences, and, typically, was most delighted when some in his audience were inspired to make similar trips as a result.

In later years, John (with Jean) began a "wine and cheese time" before dinner at Asbury Place, a time for friendship, laughter, and reminiscing.

Mr. Dodson was a member of Waverly Road Presbyterian Church, where he was an elder for many years, taught career guidance classes, and was active in the church's Food Pantry, Columbarium Committee, and Shepherd's program. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mr. Dodson's memory to the Food Pantry at Waverly Road Presbyterian Church, 1415 Waverly Rd., Kingsport, TN 37664, or donations to your favorite charity in his memory, would be greatly appreciated.

The family would like to thank the staff at Steadman Hill and Asbury Place for their loving care in John's last years.

In addition to his wife Jean, survivors include a son, John Allen Dodson, Jr. (Allen) and wife Alisa of Murphys, California; a daughter, Amy Goodwin, and husband Forrest, of Cincinnati; and grandchildren Danielle Linn and John Goodwin, and brother, Bill Dodson of Kingsport.

A memorial service will take place Tuesday, May 20 at 1PM at Waverly Road Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Dr. Daniel S. Clark officiating; a private committal will follow a reception after the service.