March 25, 1962 – March 16, 2026

Darryl Wade Dodson

Surrounded by family, Darryl Wade Dodson peacefully passed away at his home on March 16, 2026, just a few days short of his 64th birthday.

Darryl was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to John and Betty Dodson and grew up alongside two brothers, two sisters, and a large extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins. During his teenage years, he lived for a time in the Panama Canal Zone while his mother worked for the U.S. Army. He later relocated to Walnut Creek, California, where he attended high school and worked with his father in construction. Darryl’s career spanned roles as a skilled painter and wallpaper hanger across the Brentwood, Antioch, and Discovery Bay, California regions before joining the City of Antioch’s Water Distribution Department. After retiring, he fulfilled his dream by moving to a home in Sonora, California, with his wife, Heather.

From an early age, he enjoyed maintaining and racing stock cars, go-karts, and slot cars. He loved restoring, driving, and showing his 1948 Chevrolet 3600 Thrift Master (stump puller) that he had named “Betty” in memory of his mother. He enjoyed duck hunting in the Delta, deer hunting in the Sierras, and crabbing in the Pacific with family and friends. In his spare time, he enjoyed guitar playing with friends and performing in local bands.

Darryl was preceded in death by his mother, Betty McPhail Hixson; father, Leonard John Dodson; his brother, Dale Leslie Dodson; and nephews Raymond Patrick Glynn and John Derek Dodson.

He is survived by his wife Heather Dodson; his sons Nick Dodson and John Dodson (Angie); stepsons, John (Crystal) and Glenn (Kaylee) Huffman and their children (Jaxon, Scarlett, Vivienne, Ryder, Rylee, and Raelynn); sisters Karen Dodson-McAvoy (Doug) and Sharen Dodson (Dan Rahmer); brother John Dodson (Florence Mincini), and many cousins, nephews, and nieces.

A celebration of life will be held for Darryl on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at 1:00 pm at 2700 Hoffman Lane, Byron, CA, with a reception following the service.  A live stream of his Celebration of Life will begin at 1 p.m. PST on April 11, 2026, at this link https://www.youtube.com/live/…

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