Byron Dodd

MISSOULA - Byron Dodd passed away Sunday, November. 30, 2008, at his home in Hunter’s Glen. He was born on October. 30, 1923, the survivor of twin boys born to Albert and Myrtle (Chilcote) Dodd, then of Granite, Idaho. The family moved to Butler Creek in 1930, and members of the family have lived here since then. He was 85.





Byron graduated from Missoula County High School in 1941. In 1948, he received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Montana, and in 1969 he graduated from Mercer University in Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy and became a licensed pharmacist in 1970.





Byron had two successful careers. With his chemistry degree he worked for the Coca-Cola Co. as a chemist, rising to the position of chief technical witness in product substitution lawsuits. He left the company in 1968 to pursue a pharmacy career as a way of returning to his beloved Missoula and his extended family. He and his brother, Walter Dodd, bought and operated Smith Drug and gifts in downtown Missoula from 1971 until retirement in 1997.





Mining and ore processing were hobbies of Byron’s that became passions and even business interests. He made friends with many in the area in the mining field and enjoyed the fruits of scientific successes. His particular strength was in platinum group metals.





In 1951, Byron met and married Grace Cramer in Portland, Ore. Together they lived in Los Angeles and Atlanta, before settling in Missoula.





She preceded him in death in 1991, after being ill for 10 years and being devotedly cared for and her life lengthened by Byron’s care and understanding of pharmacy.





Byron’s survivors include four children, Christy Berrett (Keith) of Richland, Wash., Steve Dodd of Amity, Ore., Jon Dodd of Irvine, Calif., and Tim (Maria) Dodd of Missoula; and 10 grandchildren. Also, his brothers, Walter Dodd (Lee) of Missoula and David Dodd (Elsie), survive him as well as several Chilcote cousins in the Missoula area.





The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, December. 6, at First Methodist Church in Missoula, with interment following at the outdoor mausoleum at Sunset Memorial Gardens.





In lieu of flowers, friends and family are encouraged to donate to the St. Patrick Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 4587, Missoula, MT, 59806, in Byron’s name for assistance to other dialysis patients. He received excellent and friendly care from numerous doctors and nurses over the years as he battled diabetes and heart problems.





Arrangements are under the care of Garden City Funeral Home.






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