OCE ALGEN DOTSON Jr.

1930 - 2021

LORNA JEAN BURNETT DOTSON Mar. 12, 1931 - July 14, 2019
Oce was born June 6, 1930, in Memphis, Tennessee; in 1937, the family moved to Calexico where he enrolled in school. While in high school, the family moved to La Mesa where he continued his high school education. It was here he met his future wife, Lorna Burnett. However, Oce found his family moving once again back to the Valley and where he graduated from Central Union High School in 1948. Being born in San Diego on March 12, 1931, Lorna attended school in this area and also graduated from Grossmont High School in 1948. Even though they lived in separate towns, Oce and Lorna continued their courtship during this time. After graduating from high school, Oce attended the University of California at Davis where he received his Associate's Degree in Agronomy in 1950. After high school, Lorna attended college, and she and Oce were married on October 8, 1951. Oce served in the U.S. Navy from 1951-1953 where he tried to become a pilot but was turned down because he was married. After serving his time in the military, he attended San Diego State University where he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Industrial Arts and his teaching credential. It was while in San Diego, that their four children were born: David, Greg, Julie, and Darrell. Oce and Lorna moved to Brawley in 1958 where Oce secured a job teaching at Barbara Worth Junior High. He decided to pursue a Masters Degree and after commuting back and forth to SDSU, he finally received the degree in 1967 and later taught Entomology at Imperial Valley College. Lorna was a Cub Scout leader, served on PTA boards and the City Beautification Committee. They were members of the First Presbyterian Church where they were both Elders and sang in the choir. Lorna shared her beautiful voice at a variety of places in the Valley. Oce became a partner with his father in an entomology and chemical company called Dotson and Sons, Inc. where they developed their own pesticides under this label. Oce was a founding member of the California Agricultural Pest Control Advisors Assoc. that originated in the Imperial Valley and was also a member of the Optimist Club. Oce loved to fish and hunt and became the proud owner of a Gibbon ape he named, Bentley, whose antics provided him with many stories he loved to share. Lornas father had been an avid aviator and was the designer and builder of the wings for the Spirit of St Louis and flying was always part of the conversations through the years. When his son-in-law, Steve, expressed a desire to fly, they both decided to attend ground school and he finally got his wings! He and Lorna enjoyed many years of flying their Navion around the United States. In 1981, they moved to Prescott, Arizona where Oce sold real estate. They joined the Prescott United Methodist Church and Lorna continued to sing in the choir. Oce joined the Prescott Noon Lions Club, the Prescott chapter of the EAA Golden Falcons, Arizona Pilots Assoc., Arizona Navion Society, and the Prescott Airport Users Assoc. They enjoyed traveling around the world and boating on Lake Powell. Lorna was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Nancy. Oce was preceded in death by his parents. Oce and Lorna lost their firstborn son, David, at the age of 18 from a spinal cord injury. They are survived by their remaining children, Greg (Dianne), Julie (Steve) Reeves and Darrell. grandchildren, Ryan Dotson, Chenin Dotson, Nicole (Ryan) Rothfleisch, Michael (Sara) Reeves, Brett (Matt) Leavitt, Alexandra (Chad) Phillips and Darrick Dotson; 7 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews; Oces brother, David (Betty) Dotson and Lornas sister, Dana Byrnes. Graveside services for Oce Algen Dotson Jr. and Lorna Jean Dotson will be held on March 1st, at 11 a.m. at Riverview Cemetery in Brawley, California.