Glenn continued to hold court until his passing on November 12, 2023. He was surrounded by his family as he went to be with his Lord.
Glenn Alan Sodd was born in Ft. Worth, Texas on June 29, 1948 and grew up in Arlington. He graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington and then proceeded to graduate at the top of his class from Baylor University School of Law in 1972. While attending Baylor, he met his long-time mentor and law professor, Matt Dawson. Upon graduation, Glenn joined Mr. Dawson in Corsicana to form Dawson & Sodd, which he grew into a successful state-wide law firm that is still in practice today by the same name. Glenn’s skill as a trial lawyer was legendary. When preparing for a trial, no detail was too small and rarely was the day long enough. For the last 35 years of his legal career, he vigorously and successfully represented landowners in eminent domain cases all across Texas, including, most notably, landowners whose property was condemned for the building of both The Ballpark in Arlington and Cowboys Stadium. As a result of his success, he was frequently asked to lecture on myriad eminent domain topics at conferences and to audiences all over the State and Country, including the Texas Legislature. Glenn was a fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers, National Order of Barristers, American Association for Justice, and practiced in numerous courts all over Texas and the United States.
Glenn was active in his community. Among his many civic duties, he served as: President of the Corsicana Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Corsicana ISD Board of Trustees, Chairman of the Corsicana Development Commission, Director of the Corsicana Lions Club, and an Organizing Director of City National Bank. He taught Sunday school for many years at his beloved Grace Community Church, which he was instrumental in starting in the early 1990’s.
In addition to his community involvement and law practice, Glenn spent much of his free time operating a 4,000-acre working ranch in Navarro County, known as The Refuge, which was, true to its name, a refuge for him and his family. Glenn originally purchased the ranch with a partner, who suddenly died shortly into their ownership. Upon purchasing his partner’s half interest, Glenn was forced to figure out a way to make the ranch profitable or at least not too great of a cost. And so, Glenn, with his usual vigor and acumen, researched extensively grass production, dairy operations, and the scientific deer breeding business, and then, to no one’s surprise, he turned The Refuge into a successful dairy operation with 1200 head of dairy cattle as well as one of the most prolific whitetail deer breeder operations in Texas.
Above all else, Glenn was most proud of his large family. Glenn met the love of his life, Pat, while in college. Pat supported Glenn through law school, and she continued to support him in all his endeavors throughout his life. Over the course of their 54-year marriage, they built a full and fun life in Corsicana with their three children and nine grandchildren. And while he wore many hats in his life (husband, father, trial lawyer, rancher, Cowboys fan) his favorite hat was that of “Papa,” which his grandchildren affectionately called him. In fact, his favorite part of each week was driving his grandchildren, all of whom lived within a block of him and Pat, to school in the morning. The lessons, sayings, and stories that were shared (and shared again!) during those morning drives will provide lasting memories and wisdom for each of his grandchildren.
Glenn is survived by his loving wife Pat, son and daughter-in-law Jason and Ellen Sodd; daughter and son-in-law Jody and Chris McSpadden; daughter and son-in-law Jourdan and Caleb Hollingsworth; grandchildren Gabe and Eva Sodd; Will, Jake, Annie and Luke McSpadden; and Lyla, Leddy and Molly Hollingsworth. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law Gary and Donna Sodd; sister, Janet Sodd; and brother-in-law Gordon Ailshie and wife, Corae. Glenn was preceded in death by his parents, Betty and Ellis Sodd and his brother, William “Bill” Sodd.
The family would like to thank Glenn’s caregivers, especially Larronda Lusk, LaTasha Thompson and all of the people at Brookdale Corsicana for their endless patience and loving kindness. The family would also like to give their utmost thanks to Sarina Ratliff and Ashley Campbell at Bristol Hospice, whose kindness and patience were sent from above. A celebration of life will be held at Grace Community Church in Corsicana on Wednesday, November 15th at 2 pm with a reception following at Corsicana Country Club. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Grace Community Church Corsicana or the Corsicana Education Foundation.
https://www.welcometograce.org/
https://www.corsicanaef.org/everyday-giving.html
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