Every year the Xenia Chamber of Commerce gathers at its annual awards dinner to celebrate the Xenia Business Community and honors those in that community who stand out. Among the awards given annually is the Dodds Monuments Industrial Award to publicly recognize a Chamber member company that has distinguished itself in manufacturing, or in research and development or in distribution and warehousing.
This year is a special milestone for this award in many ways. 160 years ago George Dodds and his brother started selling headstones and tombstones out of a small building in downtown, Xenia. The company grew through manufacturing excellence to be one of the largest memorial companies in the country.
Transitions over 160 years of history
120 years later, a young couple in their thirties took a leap of faith and purchased the distinguished company in hopes of continuing the manufacturing excellence started by its founder. New to Xenia, Eric and Becky Fogarty worked to not only grow Dodds, but also become involved in the community that would become a second home. Eric became a Xenia Rotarian and worked on countless community boards and committees.
Eric Fogarty died October 21, 2023 and left a huge void at the company he and his wife owned for 40 years. He was charismatic, larger than life, and always out to help his fellow man. He poured himself into his adopted city of Xenia, making lasting friendships throughout the community. This year, as we celebrate the latest winners, may we be reminded of the shoulders of giants upon which we stand.
The Legacy Continues
Here is to the temerity of George Dodds to establish that headstone company all those years ago, and to Eric Fogarty for taking that business and continuing to create Lasting Visons of Love for Caring Families. Both stood for quality manufacturing excellence, and both were giants of their times in Xenia. We celebrate their legacy and hope to continue what they so passionately established.
Schedule a consultation with Dodds today to create your Lasting Vision of Love.