Happy Birthday, in a land where you will never grow old again and where time stands still eternally! I wish we could have kept you with us in perfect health, and for all 89 years on earth, but I know you are running the streets of Glory today and are so happy you have made it safely home. Some of our favorite memories in WA were spent with you, your sweet bride, daughter, Sally, and family! You opened your heart and home to us and let us become a part of your family. We will always remember you with love and miss you down here on earth. We look forward to the day we are all gathered together again, just beyond the curtain of time. Love, The St. John family.
This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, Edwin Dodds, 85, born on April 19, 1930 and passed into the presence of His precious savior on on July 31, 2015. We will not forget forget your legacy or the fooprints left in the sands of time for us to follow.
Enjoy the life and adventures of Edwin and Sally through the online digital Shutterfly book seen at: http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0QauWjZs4bsnug
Tributes
Leave a tributeHappy Birthday, in a land where you will never grow old again and where time stands still eternally! I wish we could have kept you with us in perfect health, and for all 89 years on earth, but I know you are running the streets of Glory today and are so happy you have made it safely home. Some of our favorite memories in WA were spent with you, your sweet bride, daughter, Sally, and family! You opened your heart and home to us and let us become a part of your family. We will always remember you with love and miss you down here on earth. We look forward to the day we are all gathered together again, just beyond the curtain of time. Love, The St. John family.
God bless the family! We will be looking forward to seeing him again!
David, Natalie, Rachel, Heidi and Joseph
Psalms 116:15
- Meghan Drake
We shall always love and cherish Bro Edwin and Sis Sally's zeal for the Word of God; their love for souls who knew not the precious Saviour and also their seemingly unending hospitality. Having moved to Lynden shortly after our arrival in Cloverdale in 1983, we cherish our long standing friendship and will miss our brother.
Bro Edwin has entered into his reward and rest. Thankfully we sorrow not as others - but eagerly long to join him in the blessed presence of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Bro Tony & Sis Rebekah Abma
Matt and Hannah Ardiel and family
Bro. Glen & Sis Shauna Grunert and family
Three years ago we wrote a letter expressing our love and admiration on your 82nd birthday, for a keepsake book your family was making. This week, after the Lord Jesus called you to his side, Sally and I were rereading the letter. It still describes you 3 years later, as you have remained steadfast, and a true "Time-Tested Memorial" for Jesus! You have been a stalwart soldier, both naturally and spiritually in the 10 years the Lord has given us the privileged to know you!! Thank you for making us a part of your family. We miss you every day. Sally asked me to put this letter up, and we still mean every word; only we should say Happy 18-21 year old BIRTHDAY! ! :) We look forward to seeing you very soon, "just a breath away."
Letter written April 19,2012:
Dearest and Most Beloved Bro.Edwin,
I know you have probably asked the Lord many times why he keeps you bound to this earth, when your heart longs for wings, to fly free. Yet, what a "Time-Tested Memorial" you have, and continue to be, for Jesus here on earth. You are STILL a GREAT strength to all those who are blessed to be a part of your life..You give more strength and love from your wheelchair, than many will ever give standing on their feet.. You are a soldier of the Cross, and you have been faithful in battle...You have suffered humbly, quietly, patiently, and with dignity..... all, while having a loving smile upon your face.. You have shown us all, through your life and suffering, how to be a warrior for the Lord in the face of EVERY Obstacle!! You have been a wounded soldier, yet, you have not complained...
You continue to demonstrate this Gospel to all you meet; You have Bloomed, where you are planted!!
Your children have risen up and they call you Blessed!! They STILL turn to YOU for strength, even today, in times of trouble....and just a look from you can quieten their fears and bring them comfort. You're a wonderful daddy...
Your pastor has called you his "Bomber" and has drawn great strength from your stalwart stand for this Message!! You have been a TRUE and FAITHFUL Friend to him...It is obvious, the deep love he has for you!!
The staff, who take care of you daily; who have seen you at your lowest and in your suffering condition, have been forced to take notice..that "THIS is a REAL CHRISTIAN!!" You suffer quietly, yet without complaint.. while continuing to confess the Lord Jesus as your Healer and Savior.
Your friends, who love you, have been privileged to see a MIGHTY MAN of VALOR in Battle, who is leading BY EXAMPLE..... the way to our Heavenly Home.....
It has been our honor to know you Bro.Edwin, to laugh with you, to cry with you, and to rejoice around the Word of God with you.. To share with you what this MESSAGE means in our lives.. To sing with you and for you, and to journey through life beside you!!
We look forward to running the hills of Glory with you one day VERY SOON, and we are so glad that with your 82nd birthday... you are one year closer to your young and Eternal body!!!
"The Spirit and The BRIDE say....."Come Quickly Lord!!!!"
Happyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy 82nd BIRTHDAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!! We love you!!!
The St.John Family,
Bro.Gary, Sis.Leisa, Annahope and Samuel
Mark
It wasn't too long after we moved to Washington that Bro. Edwin stopped by and picked my dad up to go to coffee...with the words 'You gotta taste the best pie there is' and promptly took him to the Lunch Bucket on Hannegan road. It became a favorite place of ours and we could often find Bro. Edwin there enjoying those delicious bites whenever we went. Needless to say, we were all very disappointed when it closed its doors.
There are many memories that formed in the later years, but perhaps my favorite memory is when Scottie and I announced our engagement and upcoming move to Edmonton. I'll never forget as Scottie walked over to the wheelchair and said 'Did you hear? I'm going to marry her." Bro Edwin registered surprise, and pointed to me with a questioning look. Scottie said, "Yes, and we're moving away after that." Bro Edwin smiled, but then very good-naturedly got that rebuking look and jokingly shook his fist toward Scottie, grinning the whole time. Scottie simply said, "I understand, sir! But I'll take good care of her." To which Bro Edwin then gave his signature thumbs-up.
I was thankful that we got to spend one last moment with him on his 85th birthday (which was our 1st anniversary) and will always treasure that memory.
To all the family, God bless you during this time...our prayers are with you. Till we meet again!
Love Jason
When I was a little girl you took me on long trips in the truck and gave me a love for adventure and travel that I still have today. I will never forget sitting on grandma’s lap next to you playing hide and seek with the moon late at night, or counting coyotes and deer during the day. Growing up I watched you love grandma, and all of your children and grandchildren, and you instilled a value of family on me that I am so grateful for. The way you loved your family so fiercely sets high expectations for anyone around you and was something to be greatly admired. As I got older you never failed to jump to my defense with reckless abandon. Not just me, but anyone you loved or really just anyone who needed help, or defending. You always leant a hand without hesitation. I never heard you speak an ill word towards anyone. You always believed in me even when others doubt was present. I looked up to you for fatherly advice and when it came to starting grown up life and financing my first car loan you went as far as to co-sign for me, but only if I chose something reliable like a Honda or Toyota, which brought me to my current career, and I have you to thank for that as well. I loved talking politics with you so much as we drank coffee, and watched the birds, for the time I got to live with you and the passion you put in my heart for that is something I will never be able to shake. When I read about current events or our current leaders I can hear just exactly what you would have to say about that.. I make sure to pass the word along just as stubbornly as you would have! : ) My favorite part about you, Grandpa, was how, absolutely, no matter what, you always did the right thing, even if it was the really hard thing, you said what’s right is right, and what’s wrong is wrong. I hope that one day I can be remembered for the same thing. I love you so much and I will always miss you.
Stephanie
Your brother and sister in Christ - Paul and Lynne Frangos
For those love and loved me ...When I go let me go, don't bind me with tears, for the wonderful years we lived together let us thank God, if you have to cry, let the faith in God comfort your grief...The life continue, I will be near you will feel the warm from my love in your heart, and when you have to travel for this road, I will recievewith a smile and will tell you...Welcome never more will separate us !!
Zaida Dodds
Breakfast of biscuits and gravy with my dad at his house just a day or two before he was in the hospital has become priceless.
Hearing of a loved one pass on only anchors the promises of God deeper in our souls and cause us to look away to Jesus and to this glorious resurrection that lays just before us.
Like Sharon Rose said " don't you know your teaching dad ? You teach immortality.
God bless the Dodds family and may the prayers and faith of brother Ed continue to manifest in all that He loved and all that love him.
ENDLESS LIFE
When I get over on the other side
Find me by the sea of life
Coming out from under the throne
Where angelic choir sings
There they're singing all the time
It’s a place where there's no night
Sit under the evergreen tree's
By Gods grace that’s where I'll be
The brushings of those angels wings
As your bride so sweetly sings
Part the water, let us walk
Forever stroll with you
The power of an endless life
I'll never have to leave your side
Living in that supernatural place
Grace has brought me to that holy place
Someday when this life Is ov'r
Resting by the beautiful shore
Sitting round the throne of God
That sweet heavenly atmosphere
Where the sea of Life it flows
Together while eternity rolls
We'll fellowship forevermore
We'll never have to part no more
Daryl Tanya Boaz and......."
Love, Anita and Joseph
It was YOUR mom and dad, that TAUGHT me how to FORGIVE people and to LOVE them anyways. That's a very difficult one to do, and they seemed to be able to do it effortlessly. They NEVER once judged me or shut me out, even when I had preachers and deacons gunning for me and had been shunned. They were the ONLY ones that showed love to Colleen & myself, and did NOT care what anybody thought. They definitely were the furthest thing from a hypocrite as one could be. Your parents, have been tucked deep in our heart of hearts for years, and both of them will remain there, alive in our hearts memories, come what may.
I'm beyond honoured, I can't even put into words to describe it, that they would take a fella like me, into their hearts and lives. They treated me as a son and even called me their son. I'll never forget the summer I met them. Instant bond, instant magic, instant love. XO
Thank you for the atmosphere you created, Brother Dodds. Whenever I was around you, I could feel that I was in the Presence of God. Thank You, Jesus, for the precious gift of this man's life. Truly a man of God.
Love forever... Sally A.
Rest in Peace, Dear Soldier of this message.
Love the van Enters
Leave a Tribute
Happy Birthday, in a land where you will never grow old again and where time stands still eternally! I wish we could have kept you with us in perfect health, and for all 89 years on earth, but I know you are running the streets of Glory today and are so happy you have made it safely home. Some of our favorite memories in WA were spent with you, your sweet bride, daughter, Sally, and family! You opened your heart and home to us and let us become a part of your family. We will always remember you with love and miss you down here on earth. We look forward to the day we are all gathered together again, just beyond the curtain of time. Love, The St. John family.
Please be patient.
Please be patient.
Please be patient.
Footprints in the Sands of Time
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882)
A PSALM OF LIFE
WHAT THE HEART OF THE YOUNG MAN
SAID TO THE PSALMIST
TELL me not, in mournful numbers,
Life is but an empty dream ! —
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.
Life is real ! Life is earnest!
And the grave is not its goal ;
Dust thou art, to dust returnest,
Was not spoken of the soul.
Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
Is our destined end or way ;
But to act, that each to-morrow
Find us farther than to-day.
Art is long, and Time is fleeting,
And our hearts, though stout and brave,
Still, like muffled drums, are beating
Funeral marches to the grave.
In the world's broad field of battle,
In the bivouac of Life,
Be not like dumb, driven cattle !
Be a hero in the strife !
Trust no Future, howe'er pleasant !
Let the dead Past bury its dead !
Act,— act in the living Present !
Heart within, and God o'erhead !
Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time ;
Footprints, that perhaps another,
Sailing o'er life's solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again.
Let us, then, be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate ;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait.
For A Friend - In The Loss Of A Loved One
Whenever there be skies of gray,
The day… be dark and dreary—
Your heart is laden down with grief,
Your heart, so tired and weary…
Look up my friend, to heav’n above,
There is a “silver lining” —
The one you love—is there above,
Their heart with yours entwining.
The time grows short, that you will spend,
A part from one another—
For Jesus, has such special plans,
For you to be together.
Trust in the Word, with Him abide,
His coming’s very near—
You soon will be with Jesus,
And, the one that you hold dear!
Sally J Dodds
Farewell Bend Poem
As I’ve traveled down life’s road,
I’ve seen a lot of things—
Mem’ries written on the land,
Which, quite so often brings…
Thoughts which lead back to the past,
Back to a yesterday—
Where men of courage blazed a trail,
And, carried their destiny…
Into a place of history,
That all of us could see—
Where God, had led them so that they,
Could our examples be.
Today, I passed a land mark,
Carved into history—
Where early settlers rested from,
Their trials… their misery…
And, as I looked toward the field,
Toward a rivers end—
I watched that river flowing by,
To go beyond the bend…
I, stood and watched it disappear,
It seemed to know “no care” -
So many thoughts raced through my mind,
I whispered, standing there…
“Farewell river… roll on by,
One day your job will end—
For now though let us say goodbye,
Right here at Farewell Bend.”
It disappeared beyond the bend,
On to the ocean went—
For all the while to do the work,
For which it had been sent…
By god, who knows our every need,
Who’s always standing by—
Just beyond the river’s bend,
On mountains touching sky.
He’s everywhere, while here we trod,
To walk down here below—
Then, at the end… around the bend,
He’s there to help you go…
On safely to the other side,
You’ll reach the other shore—
Led into eternal day,
Where troubles never more…
Will cause our eyes to fill with tears,
Or cause our hearts to care—
For sinful ways of man are gone,
There’s only “Jesus” there.
Today, He waits beyond the bend,
It’s there He’ll take your hand—
He’ll be your guide—cross Jordon’s tide—
Into the promised land!
Sally J Dodds