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Posted on Sun, Jun 9, 2013 : 8:01 p.m.

Memorial for Ypsilanti community leader Tom Dodd full of laughter and stories

By Erica Hobbs

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The memorial service Sunday for Ypsilanti community leader and former Ann Arbor Community High teacher Tom Dodd Sunday more closely resembled a birthday party than a funeral.

More than 500 people attended the event at Frenchie’s restaurant in Ypsilanti, which celebrated the life of Dodd, who died May 12 but would have turned 78 on June 6.

tom dodd.jpg

Tom Dodd

Enjoying drinks, cupcakes and cheese and fruit plates, attendees donned plastic top hats, sang “Happy Birthday” and shared stories of their beloved friend, teacher, colleague and family member.

“This is what my dad would want,” said his son, Greg Dodd. “He wouldn’t want anything macabre or negative, he’d want everybody to have a drink on him and have a good time, so that’s what we’re doing.”

More than a dozen people lined up to give speeches about Tom, sending cheers and roars of laughter throughout the room with stories about practical jokes, colorful costumes and school experiments gone wrong.

Tom Dodd, who died of a heart attack, was known for his involvement in developing Ypsilanti’s Depot Town. He was also a teacher and served on the Ypsilanti City Council, the Washtenaw County Historic District Commission and the board of the Riverside Arts Center.

“Tom was a published author, a playwright, a journalist, a songwriter, a totally engaging speaker, an extraordinary teacher and a natural entertainer. What a slacker,” joked long-time friend Steve Gross during his speech.

Gross discussed Tom’s role in transforming Depot Town, crediting him for “99.9 percent” of all the good things that have happened to the district — including street parties, parades and events like the Ypsilanti Heritage Festival and Boomer Days.

“Tom Dodd, yes, the same guy who every Easter weekend would parade up and down the block dressed as the Easter Bunny, had more than a hand in all of it,” Gross said.

Those who attended the event said the celebration is how Tom would have wanted to be remembered.

“He was a party person, he was a joker, he was funny, he had a joke for every occasion,” said Darlene Mood, who had been a family friend of Tom’s for 45 years. “It amazed me how we could be sitting and talking and just sort of out of nowhere he’d come up with a joke about whatever topic happened to have come up in conversation.”

Dan Bennett was one of many of Tom’s former students to attend the event and said he and Tom continued to stay in touch even after Bennett had graduated from Ann Arbor’s Community High School in 1998.

Bennett said it was sad that Tom was no longer alive, but said the memorial service felt very happy.

“To me, he was a totally enlightened human being and for me it’s the fact that everyone in this room tonight benefited from him in their life tenfold,” he said.

Greg Dodd said the best way to honor his dad is to support the city his father loved so much.

“When people come down and patronize Ypsilanti businesses,” he said, “I think that’s the best tribute to Tom Dodd.”

Comments

Gregory Dodd

Tue, Jun 11, 2013 : 1:44 a.m.

My mom and I want to thank everyone who turned out for my dad's party. It is really gratifying to see all of the positive impact my dad had on people. For those who couldn't be there, or who couldn't fit in the room, you can now see the event in 5 parts on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/Soultivity

CountyKate

Mon, Jun 10, 2013 : 10:41 p.m.

Tom was, hands down, the single most "people person" I've ever known. He was an instigator, loving nothing more than to be a positive force for getting things done. It still seems impossible that such a force of nature can be gone from us. I like to think he's moved on to a larger venue, one that will give greater scope for all his marvelous energy.

Mary Ann Barbary

Mon, Jun 10, 2013 : 2:39 p.m.

Thanks for the great pix. Just met Tom once or twice, but so adored the Depot Town Rag and will miss his many contributions to Gleanings.

Dirty Mouth

Mon, Jun 10, 2013 : 12:26 p.m.

I'm proud to have had Tom Dodd as a teacher and guide.

PineyWoodsGuy

Mon, Jun 10, 2013 : 5:41 a.m.

Tom was such a Grand Guy! I knew him in his role as a Washtenaw historian and a WCCC prof. He was a great and devoted historian. Tommy had his historical facts down straight! He invited me to make a presentation at his WCCC Journalism class. What an experience! Tom shared the student's journalism "write-ups" with me. What a Guy! God broke the mold when he created Thomas Dodd! If you were to know the guy, you would love him!!!

hmsp

Mon, Jun 10, 2013 : 2:43 a.m.

Great Party! A lot of good folks were there. Ironically, a group of Tom's former Pioneer students, who took his Creative Thinking class back in the 60s, are scheduled to play in a reunion of their high school band, Sproton Layer, at The Blind Pig Friday night. Just a few weeks too late –– Tom would have loved to be there. The Miller brothers, Roger (Mission of Burma, Alloy Orchestra) Ben (Destroy All Monsters), and Larry (Destroy All Monsters) were the heart of the band, along with then-trumpet-player Harold Kirchen. And when Pioneer suffered its mysterious Clock Shortage Of 1969, Tom knew just who to turn to: At Tom's request, Harold and Roger and were happy to arrange for a fully functional, original-equipment, but psychedelically-enhanced IBM clock to mysteriously appear on Tom's classroom wall. Kirchen reportedly hung up his horn years ago, but Mission Of Burma's Steve Smith is more than capable, and will be there on Friday, playing trumpet in his place. Many of Tom Dodd's former students will be there at The Pig on Friday as well, and the celebration of Tom's life will inevitably continue, along with more planning for the re-release of one student's Creative Thinking class project, a movie which Roger composed the soundtrack for, and Roger, Ben, and Larry recorded way back then. It's truly a small world, with only one or two degrees of separation around here this week. See you at The Pig?

KateT

Mon, Jun 10, 2013 : 2:37 a.m.

I came away feeling that he had a very inclusive, hopeful, fun attitude. He brought about so much great change for Ypsi. What a nice party! Greg, I think your Dad would be proud of you.

MajorPaul

Mon, Jun 10, 2013 : 1:43 a.m.

I remember Mr. Dodd very well from my days at Community. Very few teachers in my life ever left much of a positive lasting impression, as it seemed most were there simply to collect a paycheck. Tom seemed to have the attitude that if he wasn't getting paid a dime for coming in everyday, he still would, and still have that same wacky, often stuttering personality that made him one of the most memorable and likable people I ever met as a young adult. This is the first I've heard of his passing. The fact that he will be missed, and that the entire Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti community will never again be the same in his absence, is perhaps the biggest understatement I could ever utter. We'll miss you, Tom.

Resident A2

Mon, Jun 10, 2013 : 12:37 a.m.

I did not know Tom personally, but had heard many wonderful things about him. What a fitting way to bring tribute to a wonderful man!

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