Peter Cummings Dodson

It is with profound sadness that we share the loss of our dear brother, Peter Cummings Dodson. Peter passed away on July 19, 2025 at Asheville Mission Hospital in Asheville, NC.    

He was 76.  

Peter was born on June 9, 1949 in San Angelo, Texas to Floyd Cummings Dodson, Jr. and Cecilia Fowler Presnall. He is preceded in death by his parents and his older brother, Walter Powell Dodson.  

Surviving Peter is his younger brother, John Freeman Dodson of Carpinteria, CA; younger sister, Celia Dodson Hinds of Carpinteria, CA; younger sister Susie Dodson Heitmann of Lihue, HI; daughter Annie Jantz of Columbus, MT, two granddaughters: Layla, 15, and Layne, 11, and numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.   

Peter grew up in Montecito, CA, after moving there with his family in 1952. He loved high school sports and in particular, pole vaulting, track and field, and high jumping. Peter set the pole vaulting record at Santa Barbara High School in 1966, and it remained undefeated for a good 10 years.  

Peter served in the U.S. Army, and worked in the kitchen on the island of Enewetak Atoll in the Marshall Islands.  

He worked for many years in the construction industry as a roofer, and formed his own company, Peter Dodson Roofing.  He was very interested in psychology and studied it with passion in his spare time.  

Peter moved to Hawai’i in the early 1970’s and lived on the “Big Island” of Hawai’i until 1995-2000. He then set his mind to driving across the country in search of the “perfect place” to live. He spent time in Oregon, Virginia, Florida, and North Carolina. He settled in Asheville in 2021. He loved Asheville and was very happy to retire there.   

Peter will be remembered for his kind heart and great sense of humor, and his passion for adventure, exploration, and independence. His energy was unique and infectious. He brought laughter wherever he went, and he will be deeply missed by his friends and family. 

We were blessed to have him in our family and will cherish his memory for all time.  

Aloha ‘oe, Peter!  

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