Kurt Dotson [1956-2014]; Construction treasurer was Scout leader

5/27/2014

It wasn’t unusual for Kurt Dotson to work seven days a week and not think a thing of it. He was secretary-treasurer of his family’s construction firm, the Dotson Co. of Whitehouse, and wanted to make sure his family and employees would have work.

He died Wednesday at his Swanton-area home. He was 58.

“He just slipped away from us,” said Mr. Dotson’s son, Donald, who did not provide a cause of death.

Mr. Dotson was born May 16, 1956, and grew up in Whitehouse, the youngest of six children born to Donald and Ethel Dotson.

He attended Anthony Wayne High School, where he wrestled as a junior and, as a senior, played football.

Playing defense didn’t stop him from once scoring a touchdown, his son said.

That year, 1973, the Anthony Wayne football team won the Northern Lakes League championship.

Mr. Dotson graduated in 1974.

He learned “everything there was to know about construction” from his father, a carpenter, and, in 1985, with other family members, turned the skills into the Dotson Co., which recently employed about 75.

The firm specializes in industrial and commercial buildings.

“He lived, ate, and breathed that business,” said Rodd Dotson, 63, of Whitehouse, one of Mr. Dotson’s brothers.

Mr. Dotson took short lunch breaks and rarely a vacation, his son said.

But he was a sports fan and often allowed short breaks at work to watch a football game.

Although he would watch any team, his allegiances were to the Detroit Tigers and Lions.

He enjoyed pheasant hunting and perch fishing.

Last year, his youngest grandson, Cash, now 6, caught his first fish, a largemouth bass, in the pond behind Mr. Dotson’s home.

“The bobber disappeared, and he started reeling like a natural — just like he knew what he was doing,” Mr. Dotson told Matt Markey, The Blade’s outdoors editor, in June.

“And when that fish came up out of the water, he was absolutely thrilled. There is nothing quite like that look on a little kid’s face when they bring in a fish.”

His son described his father as “the best guy in the world. ... He was the best person you would ever meet.”

Donald and Rodd Dotson both emphasized Mr. Dotson’s willingness and eagerness to aid others.

He was a Boy Scout leader, coached Little League, and served on the Whitehouse planning commission as a certified house inspector.

“He gave back to his community,” Donald Dotson said. “He basically did everything he could for everyone in all aspects of everything.”

Rodd Dotson said his brother learned to give from their parents, who were “constantly giving of themselves before others.”

“Kurt just learned from them to help people and love people and to help those who were downtrodden,” Rodd Dotson said.

Surviving are his longtime partner, Cheryl Dickerson; son, Donald; brothers, Gary, Mark, Rodd, and Todd; sister, Hope Woods, and two grandsons.

Visitation is 3 to 8 p.m. today in Peinert-Dunn Funeral Home, Whitehouse. Services are at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Zion United Methodist Church, Whitehouse.

The family suggests tributes to the Cherry Street Mission, American Heart Association, Fulfilling Homes, or Luther Home of Mercy.

Contact Taylor Dungjen at tdungjen@theblade.com, or 419-724-6054, or on Twitter @taylordungjen.