Jerry Dean Dodgen

Jerry Dean Dodgen was born to Justice James and Jessie Doreen (Ingram) Dodgen on October 16,1939, at Saint Ignatius Hospital in Colfax, Washington. He reposed, after a battle with neuroendocrine cancer, in Sonora, Calif, on December 31, 2022, at the monastery that he (along with his community) was actively building.

Over the course of his life, Jerry was a disc jockey, soda jerk, construction worker, salesperson, singer, dancer, crafter, elementary school teacher, public speaker, educator, financial planner, vice president, and, in his last twenty plus years, a monk and an Abbot. Throughout these years he was known as Jerry, JD, and, eventually, as Father Ignatius. He was a networker long before that was a known title.

In his early life he helped his dad build a thriving family construction business, taught 5th grade, and sold life insurance. He was married to Linda Blomquist and, together, they had two children. In Modesto, he was a successful and beloved financial planner with IDS, eventually becoming a Division Vice President for AmEx. He found his way to the Orthodox faith in his 60s and, in doing so, found his "home." He became a monk in 2001 and has, since 2013, been building the St. Silouan Monastery in Sonora, CA where he served as Abbot.

The through line for all of his life was his deep passion for God. His work days began and ended with study of scripture and he continually acted on his love of God through his generosity of time, spirit, and resources with everyone around him. He craved depth of experience with God and committed himself to sharing this with others. Beloved communities gathered wherever he went.

What people will cherish about him are his sparkly eyes and the way he'd ask "How are you...really?" then listen intently. They'll remember the beautiful work of JJDodgen Construction. They'll remember his creative problem solving and his exacting directions. They'll remember the sound of the espresso maker, pumping out shots to bless every visitor who came to encounter God at the monastery that he was honored to be carrying God's vision for. They'll think of the prayers he's prayed over them, the counsel he's offered, the blessings he's given and how, at the end of everything, he'd exclaim with thinking eyes, "There you have it!"

Jerry is survived by a large given and chosen family, including Carolyn Germain.

Details regarding the funeral (January 4, Sonora, Calif.,) and celebration of life (January 21, Modesto, Calif.,) can be found at http://www.StSilouanMonastery.com. Donations to the work of the monastery, in honor of Fr. Ignatius can be made via Venmo to @Fr-Ignatius-Dodgen