James Dotson

James “Jim” Isaac Dotson was born to Elmer and Lelia (Winkler) Dotson on October 20, 1932, in Uvalde, Texas. He departed this life on May 1, 2022, in Stilwell, Oklahoma at the age of 89 years, 6 months, and 11 days.

Jim attended Grammar High School in Uvalde, Texas. The family then moved to Oklahoma to finally settle in Stilwell, Oklahoma in 1950. Jim enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served during 1952 – 1956 in the Western Pacific Region, Hawaiian Islands, Japan, Formosa, Okinawa, Philippine Islands, Guam, and many other Western Pacific locations. He served as a Navy Engineman, EN2. After his military time, he came back to Oklahoma and with the G.I. Bill entered The University Oklahoma and earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He worked as an engineer for Trane in Wisconsin and Alabama finishing his wonderful engineering career at Tinker Airforce Base, Midwest City, Oklahoma.

He met and married his friend and neighbor: Mary Belle Hallford on May 3, 1958, to which three children were born: James David, Margaret Eileen, and Joseph Elmer. Jim, Mary, and their family traveled all 48 of the lower states including Alaska and enjoyed traveling in Europe as well.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents; and his wife: Mary Belle.

Survivors include his sons: David and wife Karen of Stilwell, Oklahoma, and Joe and wife Tammy of Moore, Oklahoma; daughter: Eileen Dewey of Paden, Oklahoma; grandsons: Nicholas Dewey of Norman, Oklahoma, and Micah Dewey of Paden, Oklahoma; step grandson: Adam Allen of Greenfield, Indiana; step granddaughter: Amanda Yates and husband Robert of Conway, Arkansas; and step great granddaughters: Maggie and Mollie Yates of Conway, Arkansas. A host of other relatives and friends also survive him.