James F. Dodd III

James F. Dodd III, 82, of Wilmington, Delaware peacefully passed away at the Delaware Hospice Center, Milford on Saturday, November 6, 2021.  Born in Wilmington on March 12, 1939, he was the son of the late James F. Jr. and Anna (Warrington) Dodd.

Jim was a graduate of William Penn High School, served in the Delaware Air National Guard, and was a 1959 graduate of the McCarrie School of Dental Technology.  He attended the Albert Einstein Institute, where he studied Gnathological Concepts of Occlusion, and served a three year apprenticeship in dental technology with Dr. Irving Yalisove in Wilmington and the University of Pennsylvania School of Dentistry from 1959-1962.  Upon completing his training, Jim began his successful career as a self-employed dental technician as a humble, one man operation.  With diligence, dedication and hard work, he founded Dodd Dental Laboratories, Inc. (DDL) and grew the business to employee more than 60 people, many of whom were family members.  Jim sold his business to National Dentex Corporation (NDX) and relocated to Boston, where he spent remainder of his 45 year career before retiring in 2005 as Vice President, Business Development.  Jim served as a board member with the American Fund for Dental Health, as well as the Delaware Dental Laboratory Association, and the Dental Laboratory Conference, where he served as President for two terms. In addition, Jim lectured nationally and internationally on The Crown and Sleeve Coping Prosthesis, and authored many articles published in dental technology trade  magazines.  He was contributing author for the book "Telescopic Prosthetic Therapy", which was published in 1977.

Jim was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing.  He was an active member of Ducks Unlimited, having served on various state wide committees and as state chairman, with his service extending to the national level as Vice President of Strategic Planning.  In addition, he served on the board of Wetlands America.  Jim was a talented, award winning decoy carver. His other memberships include the Brandywine Rotary, where he served as President and as a board member with the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce.

Jim is survived by his wife of 42 years, Deborah (Gregg) Dodd; his daughter, Elizabeth “Betsy” Kautz and husband, David; his grandchildren, Sarah and Nicholas Kautz; his step-son, William Chambers; his brother, Robert Dodd and wife, Jacqueline.

In addition to his parents, Jim was predeceased by his sons, Stephen and David Dodd; his former wife, Judith (Jennings) Dodd.

Family and friends are invited to visit at the Doherty Funeral Home, 3200 Limestone Road, Pike Creek on Tuesday, November 23 from 9:30-11:00AM, with funeral services immediately following.  Interment will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Jim may be made to Ducks Unlimited, Inc. (www.ducks.org) or the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org).

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