BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
Tom Dodge, who covered all aspects of St. Landry Parish sports for two different publications during a 28-year-period, was remembered Monday as a talented journalist whose coverage was reflected in his polite and approachable manner.
Dodge, 67,was apparently found dead on Sunday by his daughter Brandi, according to multiple sources.
At this point the cause of death for Dodge, who had worked for the Eunice News since 2007, is undetermined, according to representatives of the Louisiana State Newspapers, the parent company which also owns the Eunice News.
Brandi Dodge told LSN officials that a memorial service will be scheduled for Dodge at a later date.
Eunice News editor Harlan Kirgan wrote in a statement provided to St. Landry Now. com, that Dodge was “a true community journalist. He was a reporter, editor, photographer and put it all together for publication.”
From 1996 until 2007, Dodge served as sports editor of the Daily World. After leaving that publication, Dodge was hired as the Eunice News sports editor in October of 2007, Kirgan pointed out.
Kirgan added that Dodge was especially known for his pleasant demeanor.
“All the while (Dodge) was unflappable and always nice to those he reported on and worked with,” Kirgan additionally wrote.
Dodge also received a divinity degree in 1985, according to Kirgan.
In an email distributed Monday by Louisiana Sports Writers Association president Raymond Partsch III, LSN representative Darrell Guillory told Partsch that Dodge had recently been feeling unwell.
St. Edmund head football coach James Shiver said he always loved working with Dodge, who graduated from Troy (Alabama) University in 1980 with a journalism degree.
Shiver said he is also a former student of Dodge at Westminster Christian Academy in Opelousas.
“I graduated from St. Edmund, but when I was at Westminster, Tom was my study hall teacher. It was always great working with (Dodge). In fact that last time I saw him was last week, when he covered our seven-on-seven drills. We also used to have a lot of conversations between us on the phone, sometimes we spoke to one another around midnight,” Shiver said.
Eunice High head coach Andre Vige recalled that Dodge was always amicable when he covered sports events at the school.
“During football season, (Dodge) would call me once a week. He was at all of our games. He was just an all-around good guy. I know he has undergone a lot since the death of his wife (Barbara) two years ago. Hearing about his death really caught me off guard,” Vige added.
Vige said he last encountered Dodge last month when Dodge was covering a Eunice High softball game.
“(Dodge) was always like a friend to everyone out there. In fact I just received his football questionnaire in the mail. Tom was a person who has been good to everyone that he’s covered,” said Vige.
Shiver said the absence of Dodge, taking notes and photos on the sidelines will undoubtedly leave a void.
“Tom is someone that will really be missed,” Shiver added.
David Gremillion, who worked with Dodge as a sports photographer at the Daily World for 11 years, was shocked when he heard the news about his friends death. “Tom was one of the best. He was from the old school of sports editors who cared about the teams and individuals he covered and will be sorely missed,” Gremillion stated. Photo courtesy of Dwight Jodon
