Obituary for Michael Lang Dodson
Michael L. Dodson of Oshkosh passed away January 16, 2024. Mike was born to Wilbur and Marion (Lang) Dodson in Rockford, Illinois on August 11, 1940. He moved to the Eau Claire area with his mother as a young child and later to Omro with the family while in elementary school. He graduated from Omro High School in 1958 and entered the Air Force later that year. He trained as a military police officer and served in Japan and Germany where he immersed himself in the local culture. During this time, he developed a lifelong love of travel while exploring the Far East and Europe
Mike enrolled at Oshkosh State College upon his return from the service where his life experiences served him well. He taught K12 Art at Wrightstown for a brief time and later enrolled at the University of Montana in Missoula where he earned his Masters of Fine Arts degree in Ceramics. He changed his career path after his time in Montana and began his employment at Arrowhead Conveyor as a long-haul truck driver. Throughout his years on the road he was constantly appreciating the landscapes and could often be found sketching works of art upon any piece of scrap paper, or napkin he could find.
Mike’s passion for ceramics really flourished in retirement when he created his own space called ‘Studio 64’ in his home. However, since he was a people person, he decided to reach out to his alma mater and found his niche within the Ceramics department at UWO. He really became one with the building and was part of their community and known to all. This also allowed him to continue honing his craft for pottery and over the years receive several awards at juried art shows around the state. He was looking forward to his annual, month-long odyssey, to Alfred University in New York this upcoming summer to take advantage of their many types of kilns.
Mike enjoyed substitute teaching, especially for his daughter, and driving patients to medical appointments for ADVOCAP. He passed his love of travel on to his adult daughters, traveling with them and his sons-in-law to places such as Japan, Germany, Egypt, Africa, Spain, Netherlands, Iceland, and the Galapagos Islands. When he was not traveling with family, he was with his dear friend Mary exploring parts of China, Italy, the Panama Canal, and going on several cruises and many state side adventures. This gave him the opportunity to enjoy train rides and a multitude of golf courses in the summer while downhill skiing in the winter.
He is survived by daughters, Sara (David) Cords and Sienna (Andy) Compton; grandsons, Collin, Declan, and Brekin Cords; ex-wife, Kim (Ron) Steiner; and sister, Cynthia Doughty. He was preceded in death by his mother and step-father, Marion and Warren Doughty and father and step-mother, Wilbur and Gladys Dodson.
Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, January 27, 2024 at Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church, 1860 Wisconsin Street, Oshkosh. Visitation will take place from 9am until the time of service at 11am. Mike would have loved to see everyone wearing bright colors.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to; the Ceramics Department of University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh.
The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the Ceramics Department of UWO for allowing him, his stories and wonderful humor to surround your department for so many years.
Mom, thank you for all you have done for dad. Ron thank you for your patience and the help you have given us. – Sara and Sienna
Mike enrolled at Oshkosh State College upon his return from the service where his life experiences served him well. He taught K12 Art at Wrightstown for a brief time and later enrolled at the University of Montana in Missoula where he earned his Masters of Fine Arts degree in Ceramics. He changed his career path after his time in Montana and began his employment at Arrowhead Conveyor as a long-haul truck driver. Throughout his years on the road he was constantly appreciating the landscapes and could often be found sketching works of art upon any piece of scrap paper, or napkin he could find.
Mike’s passion for ceramics really flourished in retirement when he created his own space called ‘Studio 64’ in his home. However, since he was a people person, he decided to reach out to his alma mater and found his niche within the Ceramics department at UWO. He really became one with the building and was part of their community and known to all. This also allowed him to continue honing his craft for pottery and over the years receive several awards at juried art shows around the state. He was looking forward to his annual, month-long odyssey, to Alfred University in New York this upcoming summer to take advantage of their many types of kilns.
Mike enjoyed substitute teaching, especially for his daughter, and driving patients to medical appointments for ADVOCAP. He passed his love of travel on to his adult daughters, traveling with them and his sons-in-law to places such as Japan, Germany, Egypt, Africa, Spain, Netherlands, Iceland, and the Galapagos Islands. When he was not traveling with family, he was with his dear friend Mary exploring parts of China, Italy, the Panama Canal, and going on several cruises and many state side adventures. This gave him the opportunity to enjoy train rides and a multitude of golf courses in the summer while downhill skiing in the winter.
He is survived by daughters, Sara (David) Cords and Sienna (Andy) Compton; grandsons, Collin, Declan, and Brekin Cords; ex-wife, Kim (Ron) Steiner; and sister, Cynthia Doughty. He was preceded in death by his mother and step-father, Marion and Warren Doughty and father and step-mother, Wilbur and Gladys Dodson.
Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, January 27, 2024 at Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church, 1860 Wisconsin Street, Oshkosh. Visitation will take place from 9am until the time of service at 11am. Mike would have loved to see everyone wearing bright colors.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to; the Ceramics Department of University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh.
The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the Ceramics Department of UWO for allowing him, his stories and wonderful humor to surround your department for so many years.
Mom, thank you for all you have done for dad. Ron thank you for your patience and the help you have given us. – Sara and Sienna