Gilbert "Tom" Leroy Dotson

Gilbert “Tom” Leroy Dotson, the son of Everett and Thelma (Whaley) Dotson was born October 7, 1933 in Spencer, IA. His childhood years were spent in the Langdon, IA area, where he attended school and graduated from Lake Center High School in 1951.

After high school Tom was employed with Central Iowa Telephone in Emmetsburg, IA. He enlisted in the U.S. Army.

Tom married Carolyn Lockey on November 29, 1953 in Arnolds Park, IA. In December 1953 he was stationed in Fort Hood Texas where Carolyn joined him a short time later. After his honorable discharge in 1955 they returned to the area and ended up making their home on a farm near Everly, IA, where he farmed. He also worked for the Spencer Street Department for 40 years, retiring in 1995.

Tom enjoyed riding horses, raising cattle, camping, and playing softball for Budweiser. He was known as a jokester, always making people laugh, especially at the campground. Above all he enjoyed spending time with family.

Tom passed away on Monday, May 5, 2025 at St. Luke’s Nursing Home in Spencer, IA, at the age of 91. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Carolyn, 2 children, Steven and Jeana, and 3 brothers, Erv, Mel, and Duane.

Left to cherish his memory are his daughter-in-law, Deborah (Dotson) Zitterich, 2 grandchildren, Adam (Kelly) Dotson of Spencer, IA and Katie (Justin) Campbell of Spencer, IA; 8 great-grandchildren, Caitlin Campbell, Cedie Siela, Alyssa Johnson, Hannah Campbell, Angelo Kirschbaum, Emily Campbell, Drew Campbell, and Dominic Kirschbaum; 2 great-great-grandchildren, Carson Johnson and Daxton Schulz; 2 brothers, Dwight Dotson of Bloomington, MN and Denny (Lois) Dotson of Milford, IA; sisters-in-law Dana Dotson of Clear Lake, IA, Joan Dotson of Tucson, AZ, and Norma Dotson of Spencer, IA; other relatives, and friends.