UPDATE:

Steve’s memorial service will be held at The Bessie Mitchell House, 411 Ball Street, Grapevine, Texas, on March 14th at 4:30 PM.

Please join us for a celebration of his life and the sharing of stories. Guests are invited to stroll the garden afterward and enjoy the sunset — his favorite time of day.

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Gary Steve Dodd passed from this world on February 2, 2026, in Frisco, Texas, at the age of 74, leaving behind a life shaped by wonder, athleticism, and a deep love of learning.

Steve was born on February 10, 1951, in Olton, Texas, to Dorothy and Jackson Dodd. He spent his early years between Tishomingo and Lindsay, Oklahoma, where wide skies and open land nurtured his love of the outdoors, a natural green thumb, and an enduring physical grace.

Steve earned the rank of Eagle Scout early in life, a reflection of the discipline and leadership that would guide him throughout the years. He attended the University of Oklahoma, where he played football under Barry Switzer and took part in the Game of the Century. He later served in the United States Navy, in naval aviation.

Steve spent his career as both a football coach and an English teacher, sharing his love of the game and of language with students across Oklahoma and Texas. He taught English at Euless Junior High for almost two decades, where he encouraged close reading, critical thinking, and a lasting appreciation for poetry and Shakespeare, before retiring.

Steve shared 25 years of marriage with Jan Williams, with whom he raised three children. He is survived by his children Jennifer (Brendan), William (Sarah), and Dallas (Kelli), and his grandchildren Ronan and Beatrix McLoughlin. He is also survived by his siblings Jeff Dodd (Penny) and Sheri King (Mike). He was preceded in death by his parents, Dorothy and Jackson, and his brother Roger.

Steve lived with energy and curiosity. He loved football, running, and rollerblading, as well as poetry. He was a published writer, sang in his church choir, and was an enthusiastic drummer. He lived for good music and a spontaneous living room dance party.

He found peace outdoors, tending plants, hiking beneath open skies, and watching the light change at sunset. He had a big heart and a deep love for his family, friends, and a really good burger. He moved through the world with earnestness, charisma, and an enduring sense of wonder.

A memorial service will be held at a later date for family, friends, and former students.

“We are such stuff as dreams are made on.”

— William Shakespeare, The Tempest

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