VA Claims File for James Robert Dodge - 1949: Death and Burial Benefits

On December 23, 1949, at 633 Davis Street in Rawlins, Wyoming, James Robert Dodge passed away, having taken his own life. In learning about my great-grandpa's life over the years, I have come to see that he was a good man who did what he could to take care of and provide for his family. He had his challenges and struggles and he did the best with what he had. I believe that in some future day I shall be able to meet him and get to know him in person. For now, I have memories, pictures and stories that have been handed down as well as research that has helped fill in some of the events in his life.

His funeral was held on December 26, 1949 at the McKelvey Funeral Home in Rawlins. He is buried in the Rawlins City Cemetery. At his funeral, the following tribute was shared. It was among my great-grandparents' effects that was passed down to me:

'Although you're gone forever, and your hand we cannot touch, we will never lose fond memories of the one we loved so much. Rest in peace our Darling, your work on earth is done. You are gone where those who loved you, will be coming one by one.'

Below is a copy of his obituary. His sons, Robert and Alfred, were 19 and 17 at the time of his death. Robert (my grandpa) was working for the Union Pacific Railroad. Alfred was attending Rawlins High School. He had kept in touch with his sisters, Rae, Frances and Ann (it says Alice Graham) over the years. He also had a brother, Dwight, who was still alive and living in Woodlake, California, whom he had lost touch with. Another sister, Clara, had gone to Saskatchewan, Canada with her husband and children in 1911. Clara passed away there in 1943. Another brother, Edward, stayed in Colorado and passed away in 1934 in Fairplay. His two oldest brothers, Sherman and Alfred, had long since disappeared (I have published additional posts on each of these brothers detailing their last known whereabouts).

Being a veteran, he was eligible for funeral benefits. A flag was provided in time for his funeral. In addition, the government paid $150 towards his funeral expenses. His funeral cost $389.85 (nearly $5,000 today). A copy of the application for the flag and funeral allowance are below.

Finally, he received a gravestone. The gravestone application is not part of the Claims file. However, the gravestone application is available online. A copy of the gravestone application and the is below. Also below is a picture of the original headstone. It was replaced with a double headstone after my great-grandma passed away.

I know this post is shorter than the others I have shared. The information on each of the forms was verified not only with information on file with the VA, but also his official military personnel file. His personnel file was one of the millions that were damaged or destroyed in the 1973 National Archives fire. His VA Claims File is a great source of verifying his military service and providing his service information. In addition, the headstone application, troopship manifests, monthly rosters and morning reports that are now being published online through Ancestry, Family Search, and Fold3 have been great sources of information to help color in his military service.

The next (and possibly last) post will look at my great-grandma's application for a pension and some of her life after Grandpa Jim's death.