Garrett Randall William Dodson

A memorial service for Garrett Dodson, 35, of Conchas Dam, NM will be held at 2:00 PM, Sat., Jan 17, 2026, at the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Portales with Mike Hankins and Gary Jones officiating.

Garrett Randall William Dodson was born Dec. 2, 1990, in Clovis, NM to the home of Dave Randall Dodson and Patricia "Pat" (Combs) and passed from this life early on the morning of Dec. 27,2025, in Lubbock, TX.  Garrett was born with a rare genetic disorder known as   A-T (Ataxia Telangiectasia).  Despite his limitations, he led a very active and full life.  He was a 2009 graduate of Portales High School.  In 1997, he was given a Make-A-Wish trip to Disney World, where he stayed at Give Kids the World.  Beginning at the age of 7, and continuing for 13 years, Garrett began going to Camp Barnabas, a camp for handicapped children and their siblings.  It was there that he met his best friend, Jeremy Wallace, who only recently passed away and had A-T.

He regularly participated in bowling, cycling and equestrian events in Special Olympics.  In July 2014 he did adaptive surfing at Shaka Beach Resort in Costa Rica.  He also did adaptive snow skiing in Winter Park, CO at the National Sports Center for the Disabled. Since living at Conchas Dam he has become a member of the American Legion Post 19 and
regularly participated in their various activities through the year, including the Boat Rodeo, the 4th of July Boat Parade, the Golf Cart Parade and the annual Polar Plunge.  Just this past Oct. 4, Garrett was made an honorary member of the Seagoville, TX Police Department at the annual Some Run to raise money for A-T research.

In 2011, for his 21st birthday, his parents took him to Las Vegas for the National Finals Rodeo, and while he was there, he won $1500 on the quarter slot machines.  The family made regular trips to Branson where he enjoyed various shows.  Garrett also enjoyed hunting, and in Oct. 2014 he shot an 8-point deer.  He loved NASCAR, Monster Trucks and the Cowboys football team.  In 1997, while at the Cowboys stadium he was given a tour and was able to meet the players. Barry Switzer gave him the cap off his head and a T-shirt was presented to him that they all signed. In 2012, Garrett was able to attend the 30th anniversary of Grave Digger at Monster Jam in Las Vegas where he met many of the drivers.

Garrett loved music, and in 2013 he and his family attended the CMA Fest in Nashville.  While there he met Josh Turner, Chris Young and Cowboy Troy among others.  The family had attended several Josh Turner and Chris Young concerts throughout the years.

In 2006, a movie, Believe in Me was made in the area, and Garrett was one of the extras in the film.  Garrett loved everybody, and in turn they loved him.  He was marked by his wide smile and a heart of gold.  He had a fun side as well.  He was always the "jokester," and said he wanted to be the "First Sit-Down Comedian."  He had even devised a nickname for his niece Edyn, whom he called "Handy Dandy Notebook."

Garrett was reared in the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Portales.  He was baptized at Conchas Lake in 2021, and his very last words were, "I love Jesus."

Throughout his life, Garrett was an A-T Ambassador to raise awareness and funds for research. All he ever wanted as a gift was a cure for A-T.  In 2014, he went to the Roosevelt County Fair Board and because of his efforts, they established the Special Needs Day at the county fair, and he was able to participate in the Horse show at the Roosevelt County fair and made many crafts that he entered.  Mayor Orlando Ortega even designated Sept. 19, 2007, as A-T Awareness Day.

Garrett is survived by his parents, Dave and Pat Dodson of Conchas Dam, NM; his sister and brother-in-law, Amanda (Jaylin) Dodson of Conchas Dam, NM; his maternal grandfather, George Combs of Lubbock, TX; his aunts, Pam Combs of Lubbock, TX and Peggy (Max) Kennedy of Portales; his uncles, Bruce Dodson of San Patricio, NM, Kenny (Kathy) Combs and John (Jayne) Combs of Portales; two nieces, Edyn and Desarae Dodson and his beloved little dogs Cali and Chloe.  Garrett was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Wayne and Winnie Dodson and his maternal grandmother, Evelyn Combs and his beloved horse, Pepper and little dog Carly.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested that memorial contributions be made in Garrett's memory to the A-T Children's Project, 6810 N. State Road 7, Suite 125 Coconut Creek, FL 33073, USA or online at www.atcp.org

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