In Loving Memory of Benjamin Scott Dodson

April 12, 1954 – December 16, 2024

Benjamin Scott Dodson, 70, of Nichols Hills, passed away on December 16, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of love, creativity, and passion for life. Born on April 12, 1954, to Joe and Charlotte Dodson, he grew up with an appreciation for faith, family, and community. He was a lifelong Christian whose spirituality shaped his values and connections, attending Capitol Hill Church of Christ in his early years and later Mayfair and Quail Springs.

Ben was an alumnus of Oklahoma City University, where he met and later married Sheri Stringfellow in 1975, with whom he shared two sons, Nicholas and Lance. Ben completed his schooling at the University of Oklahoma. A diehard Sooners fan, he and Sheri attended every home game & Texas Shootout together for nearly two decades. Though their marriage ended in 1989, they continued to share a love for their family.

In 1984, Ben founded Dodson Galleries alongside his parents. The Dodson's had begun collecting art to decorate their Dodson's Cafeteria restaurants. Their collection stirred up so much interest that they were able to transform a family tradition into the premier Western Fine Art gallery in Oklahoma City. For nearly three decades, Ben championed the fine arts, fostering relationships with artists and collectors alike. His passion extended beyond the gallery walls, as he also enjoyed judging art competitions and even producing a film about the creative process with his son Lance.

Ben was a collector at heart, curating treasures that ranged from fine art and vinyl records to vintage toys and classic cars. His love of rock and roll was legendary — The Beatles, The Eagles, and Elvis were among his favorites — and he reveled in sharing his passion for music and cinema with family and friends. Some of his favorite films, like Rio Bravo, Bullitt, and Walk Hard, reflect his eclectic tastes and sense of humor.

He is survived by his sons, Nicholas and his wife Sarah and their two boys, Hayden and Luke; Lance and his wife Danielle; his brother Charles and his wife Diane and their children; his brother David and his daughters; his sister-in-law Dianne and her daughter. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Charlotte, his brother Joe Jr., and his sister-in-law Sue.

Though he never remarried, he remained close to those he loved, including Deborah Gail, a cherished companion who preceded him in death in 2019. His warmth, wit, and love of life will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

A celebration of Benjamin's life will be held at The Venue at PLENTY 807 North Broadway Avenue, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73102 on June 8th, 2025,from 1:00 to 2:30 PM, where family and friends will gather to honor his memory and share stories of his extraordinary journey.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to NAMI Oklahoma Oklahoma via https://namioklahoma.org/get-involved/donate/