Gary Dwayne Dodgen was born on August 10, 1953, in Bakersfield, CA. He was the youngest child of Jack and Joyce Dodgen. He was a 1971 graduate of Wasco High School and proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. Gary is survived by his parents, Jack and Joyce Dodgen of Bakersfield,; sister Brenda Coughenour of Bakersfield; brother Michael Dodgen of Clearfield UT; daughter Dixie Orea and grandson, Robbie of Reno, NV, and many more extended family members. Funeral Services will be held at Peters Funeral Home in Shafter, CA, on Monday, January 10, 2011 at 1pm. A graveside burial will follow the service at Shafter Memorial Park. Pall Bearers will be Steven Hernandez, Roger Welch, Rick Gilbert, Dennis Dyer, Roger Young, Fred Martinez, Rodney Creekbaum and Duane Jeffries; honoraries are Jack Dodgen and Michael Dodgen. Gary will be loved and missed by all who knew him. "Gary, you may be in the Lord's hands now, but you will always be alive in our hearts."