Leon Dodgen

Marvin Leon Dodgen was born on January 17, 1933 in Alexandria, Louisiana. His family settled in Hot Springs, Arkansas where Leon grew up running around the hills on his motorized bicycle and playing pranks with his friends. Leon enlisted in the Navy in 1951 and served his country in the Korean Conflict. After serving honorably and being discharged with the rank of Chief Petty Officer, Leon attended Bethany Nazarene College on the GI bill, where he met Ruby Ogden. They were married and moved to Austin, Texas, where Leon built up a thriving Air Conditioning business. In 1968, Leon and Ruby decided to move to Kilgore, Texas to raise their growing family. Leon built their house on top of a hill, where he had proposed to Ruby in 1955. It had a beautiful view and there was lots of space to let their children, David, Carrie, Cristi and Suzanne, run and play in the East Texas woods.

He began working at Kilgore College as the Heating and Air Conditioning Technician and this led to an incredibly fulfilling 30 year career with KC culminating with his appointment as the Assistant Dean of Physical Plant. Leon considered his crew at KC to be his second family and they had many good times and lots of fun while operating the mechanical side of the college with tremendous skill. After his retirement, Leon and Ruby took their 5th wheel camper all around America, having lots of adventures

and seeing all 50 states.

Leon loved the Lord and lived it every day of his life. He was an active member of First Baptist Church of Liberty City. He was a man of strong, unwavering faith and he took very seriously the command to love your neighbor. He was always helping others with his skill as a handyman - especially his children. Leon’s most enduring legacy is his family. He raised his children with deep love and imparted lessons of strong character and faithfulness. He was very proud of his children and grandchildren and made sure they knew how much he loved each one of them.

Leon leaves behind his wife of 67 years, Ruby Dodgen, son David Dodgen, daughter Carrie and Bill Warlick, daughter Cristi and Clark Langley, daughter Suzanne and Mont Roper. His grandchildren, Travis Warlick and fiancé Fernanda, Emily and Devin Murphy, Lindsey and Matt Mckaig, Olivia Langley, Walker Langley and fiancé Sydney, Patrick Langley, Bethani and Scottie Taylor, Eliza Roper, Keelie Roper, Marlie Roper and his great-grandchildren Jakely McKaig, Everett Leon Murphy and soon-to-be Leonie Joy McKaig.

A Celebration of Leon’s life will be held on Thursday, November 2, 2023 at 11:00 am at the Chapel of Radar Funeral Home in Kilgore with Dr. Paul Michael Vacca officiating. Visitation will be at 10 am, one hour before the service. Private burial will follow at Kilgore Cemetery. Mr. Dodgen passed away on Monday, October 30, 2023 in Kilgore.