James Dotson

James Dotson, 86, passed away on Sunday, September 25, 2011, at his residence in Abilene. Services will be 2:00p.m., Wednesday, September 28, 2011 at Elliott-Hamil Chapel of Faith with burial to follow in Elmwood Memorial Park under the direction of Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 5701 Hwy 277 South. Visitation will be Tuesday, September 27, 2011 from 6 to 8p.m. at the funeral home.

James was born in Muskogee, OK on April 27, 1925 to Elbert and Nora Dotson, being the youngest of six brothers. The family relocated to Shawnee, OK where James lived most of his childhood. They later moved to Abilene, TX in the 1940's. James attended Abilene High School for sometime before moving to California to find work. He returned to Abilene in July of 1943 where he was drafted into the U.S. Navy. Stationed in Maui, Hawaii, he was trained in Amphibious Landing duty. He was assigned to a troop transport ship. James participated in the invasions of Leyte, Luzon and Iwo Jima, dropping troops on the beaches with his LCVP landing craft. After the war, James returned to Abilene and worked at Abilene Plumbing and Roofing. He later took a job with Lydick Hooks Roofing Company as a sheet metal worker.

He soon met the love of his life and married Maydean Williams on April 29, 1950. He taught Sunday school at Highland Park Baptist Church and helped with many building projects. James and Maydean moved to Montgomery, Alabama in 1972 where James took a job with States Roofing Company as a sheet metal worker. He worked all over the southern United States.

James moved back to Abilene in 1987 taking early retirement after a severe automobile accident. He enjoyed working with his hands and always had many projects going.

James's craftsmanship survives him in his proudest work recovering the Capital Dome in Montgomery, Alabama. Also the steeple at Abilene Women's Club in Abilene, the Church of Christ steeple on Grape Street in Abilene, the Southside Baptist Church steeple in Abilene, the copper dormers atop the McMurry University Chapel in Abilene and many more all over the state of Texas and the United States.

Preceding him in death are his parents, Elbert and Nora; his brothers, Elbert Jr., Leonard, Alwyn and Raymond Dotson; and his wife, Maydean in 2006.

Survivors include his brother Ralph of Hemet, CA; his daughters, Janice Hodge of Abilene and Carolyn Robinson of Georgia; his son, James Bruce Dotson of Abilene; his daughter, Starla Dotson of Abilene; his grandchildren, Jenalee Williams, Jamie Hodge, David Robinson, and Darin Robinson; his great-grandchildren, Shane Williams and Sarah Jaramillo; his great-great-grandchildren, Izayah, Braden and Ethan Jaramillo; and many nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Shane Williams, Jamie Hodge, Robert Rocha, Charles Smith, and Brian Maughan.

Memorials may be made to Rescue The Animals, 5933 South 1st St., Abilene, TX 79605.

You may view and sign the guestbook at www.elliott-hamil.com