James “JD” Clifton Dodge, 65, passed away at home in Windham, Maine, on June 26, 2025.

Born April 6, 1960, JD was always an adventurer who deeply cherished the natural world. He was a loving father and a genuinely affectionate and often heroic brother, uncle and friend. He had a passion for machines and spent countless hours jet skiing, snowmobiling, dirt biking, and tinkering with engines. JD was known for his uncanny ability to spot a four-leaf clover in any field.  His capacity to love extended to many pets and he treasured his Border Collie Jäger, along with his tuxedo cat, Sweetpea. 

A graduate of Erskine Academy in China, Maine, JD proudly served in the U.S. Navy from 1978 to 1993, with service aboard the USS El Paso, USS Alexander Hamilton, and USS Henry M. Jackson. He served on the deep submergence vehicle Sea Cliff, including a dive to the Mariana Trench, and participated in offshore rescue missions. JD attended the Naval Nuclear Power School and later served as a Master Training Specialist and Curriculum Developer at the Trident Training Facility. After his military career, he operated Rhino Linings of Portland, Maine. JD was an active participant in the Maine Veterans Project, dedicating himself to recovery programs supporting veterans and their families. 
 
JD is survived by his daughter Valerie Maxson and granddaughter Mabel Maxson of Westerly, Rhode Island; son Nicholas Leighton and his partner Madylan Briggs of Casco, Maine; sisters Cheryle Fasano (Peter) of Jefferson, Maine, Dorothy Dutcher of DeerIsland, Oregon, Margaret Dodge of Los Angeles, California, and Abigail Howard (Matthew) of Fairfield, Maine; stepmother Cathy Dodge of Fairfield, Maine; cousins Susan Weimer of Manassas, Virginia and Bonnie Kuykendall of Tucson, Arizona; and many beloved nieces and nephews. 
 
JD was the beloved only grandson of Clarence and Ruth Dodge of Boothbay Harbor, Maine, and was predeceased by his mother, Judy Fenton of Marysville, Washington, and father, Neil Dodge of China, Maine. 
 
A military interment ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 15, at Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 163 Mt. Vernon Road, Augusta, followed by a celebration of life at his boyhood home, 1287 Lakeview Drive, China, Maine. 
 
Memorial donations may be made to Maine Veterans Project (maineveteransproject.org)