Robert Mac "Bobby" Dodgen

Bobby is survived by his wife, Tavia Pouncey Dodgen of LaGrange, GA; his children, Andrew Zachary Dodgen, Emily Caroline Dodgen and John-Robert Mac Dodgen “Cornbread” all of LaGrange, GA; his grandmother, Martha Potate Dodgen of Standing Rock, AL; his parents, Johnny Mac and Bonnie Dodgen of Standing Rock, AL and Artha Mae Dodgen of Midlothian, VA; his siblings, John Andrew (Kelly) Dodgen of Midlothian, VA and Angela Susan “Suzi” Woodie of LaGrange, GA; several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends who loved and adored him in every way. He is preceded in death by his grandfather, Ambrous Mac Dodgen.

Bobby was born in LaGrange, GA and was a lifelong member of Standing Rock United Methodist Church. He graduated from the University of Alabama in 1991 with a degree in Criminal Justice. While at UA, he was a member of their football program. After graduating, Bobby spent many years protecting and inspiring people in many local areas as a law enforcement officer. He was a loving father to his children and enjoyed finding innocent ways to embarrass them. He was affectionately known as “Uncle Buck” to his nephews and nieces. Bobby had many favorite things: He enjoyed writing, traveling, searching for and visiting covered bridges, talking about GTOs and Jeeps and the ones he had owned, quoting Christmas Vacation, Smokey and the Bandit (Buford T. Justice), telling stories, listening to bluegrass music, camping and going to the mountains, making prank calls using different voices and accents, tailgating at games, grilling his famous ribs, commentating during football games from the recliner, eating hot wings and 7-layer salad that only his sister could make, assigning unusual nicknames to friends and family and wearing his many different hats. He always said he was going to live in the mountains in a cabin with a creek running behind it someday. His favorite pastime was pulling for the Alabama Crimson Tide, while wearing a vintage helmet his wife purchased for him, not knowing it would become one of his favorite Alabama items that he owned.

Visitation will be held at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary on Tuesday, October 25, 2016 from 5:00 PM until 7:00PM. A Celebration of Life Service will be 1:00PM Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at Faith Baptist Church, LaGrange, Georgia with Rev. Anthony Hovey and Rev. Paul Messer officiating. A reception will follow at the home of Melissa Langford Heflin, 118 St. Anthony Drive, LaGrange, GA. All are welcome to attend, wear your favorite collegiate attire and celebrate Bobby’s life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Nick’s Kids Foundation in memory of Bobby Dodgen – 1130 University Boulevard, Suite B9-201, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 or to the Crimson Tide Foundation Organization in memory of Bobby Dodgen – Box 870343, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0343.

Those wishing to share a condolence or remembrance with the family may do so by visiting www.shlagrange.com.

Arrangements are by Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 1010 Mooty Bridge Road, LaGrange, GA 30240 (706) 884-8636