Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend, George Horold Dotson, Jr., age 71, passed away suddenly from a heart attack on December 9, 2010 in Richfield, Utah. George was born in Salt Lake City, February 26, 1939 to George Horold and Ether Fontella Dotson. On December 17, 1969, he married the love of his life, Onda Vee Curtis, in Richfield. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Manti Temple, where, together with their children, they were sealed for all time and eternity. Their family had recently surprised them with a celebration of their 40th wedding anniversary.
He spent his childhood years in West Jordan and attended Jordan High School. George served his country in the Navy during the Korean War conflict. He married JoAnn Lowe on November 8, 1958. They were later divorced. He spent most of his adult life in Richfield, an area he loved and was proud to make his home.
George earned a living working in the SUFCO coal mine in Salina Canyon for many years, and also as a truck driver and an owner/operator of his own trucking company. He worked tirelessly and with great zeal to support and provide for his family. He continued to drive truck more as a hobby in his later years because of his love for the road and the happiness it brought him.
He was a wonderful and devoted patriarch to his large family, and took great joy in assisting his sweetheart in organizing and carrying out family gatherings and vacations. He cherished and was tremendously proud of every member of his family, and together he and his sweetheart drove countless miles and spent countless hours traveling to attend every event in the lives of their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Together they have created traditions, memories, and legacies that will be carried on for generations. It meant everything to him for his family to be happy.
George was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and took joy in being active and in serving in many callings through the years. His favorite callings were serving in his ward’s High Priest presidency in recent years, and as a ward clerk. Together with his wife, they served an 18-month mission with the LDS Employment Agency. He loved going to the temple. Beyond his church callings, he used the many skills he developed throughout his life to help others around him in any way he could, including service in many community organizations.
There was always a major project going on in his life, and he was always active and ready to move on to the next project once the last one was completed. He enjoyed hunting and spending time in the outdoors. He was an avid sports fan, his favorite teams being the Jazz, the Broncos, and BYU. He loved to travel with his wife, and in their retired years, they spent a great amount of time together visiting many exciting places. More than anything, he loved spending time with her. George was respected by all who knew him. His was a life well-lived, and a he was a man well-loved.
He is survived by his wife, Onda Vee; ten children: Matthew (Amy) Dotson, St. George; Rachelle Proctor, Richfield; Cindy (Scott) Farnsworth, Taylorsville; Landon (Tiffiny) Farnsworth, West Jordan; Ray (Mary) Dotson, West Valley City; Dan (Cyndi) Dotson, West Valley City; Russell (Christine) Farnsworth, Lehi; Rickard (Beverly) Farnsworth, Richfield; Rowanna (Keith) Mosier, Phoenix, AZ; Lynne, Phoenix, AZ; 35 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; brother Richard (Marilyn); sisters Joan (Hank) Salis and Elaine Martinez. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Pete; sister, Fawn Tillery; and one grandson.
Funeral services will be held Monday, December 13, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. in the Richfield 7th Ward chapel, 159 N 400 W. Friends may call Sunday evening from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Magleby Mortuary in Richfield, 50 S 100 W, and Monday at the chapel from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in the Richfield City Cemetery with military rites by the V.F.W. Sevier Post #5050 and the Utah Honor Guard. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online condolences at www.maglebymortuary.com.
