James "Jim" Allen Dotson

James Allen Dotson, son of Elmer and Genevieve Dotson, was born February 15, 1944 in Spencer, IA. He was the youngest of his siblings and also the only boy. His early education included one year in country school, 8 years in Catholic School, and 4 years at Spencer Community High School. He then spent one semester at Northwest Missouri State. Jim then returned back to Spencer to help out on the family farm.

In 1967, Jim began a long and dedicated career as a USDA Federal Meat Inspector with Oscar Meyer in Davenport, Iowa. That same year, he met the love of his life, Sandra, at the Fireside Lounge in the Tangney Hotel in Spencer. The couple married on August 24, 1968, and together built a life full of love and devotion.

They lived in Davenport and Fort Dodge before settling in Okoboji in 1972, where they raised their two sons. Jim worked for the Campbell Soup Company in Worthington and Butterfield, Minnesota. To keep his family rooted in Okoboji he drove an hour one way to work leaving home by 4:30am for over 40 years. Notoriously, Jim would never let any midwest snow storm stop him from making it to work. His legendary work ethic and determination earned him numerous awards for attendance and performance.

Jim was a passionate sports fan, especially of the Iowa Hawkeyes. He attended countless basketball and football events over the years and proudly took his family to the Rose Bowl in 1992. He also loved baseball and golf, often taking his sons golfing in the summers and coaching their little league teams. He had a natural ability to teach and inspire young players, making a lasting impact on many.

An avid outdoorsman, Jim enjoyed fishing on Lake Okoboji and hunting Canadian geese, ducks, pheasant, and grouse. For more than 40 consecutive years, he took an annual hunting trip to southern Iowa with his closest friends: John Francis, Darold Slaymaker, and Don Donovan. One of his favorite spots to camp was Yellow River Forest in NE Iowa. He’d take his boys and their friends to this magical spot once a year to camp,  fish, and bond together. This is yet another tradition passed down and still continues every year.

Jim Dotson was a quiet and confident man dedicated to providing for his family. Until his health decline, Jim never missed a mass at St. Joseph’s Church in Milford. He was a constant presence in his sons' lives, always attending their games, concerts, camps, and events, no matter how early his workday began. He enjoyed spending time with his kids and grandchildren. Jim was a true friend to friends, caring brother to his sisters, and dedicated husband, father, and grandfather until his final breath.

Jim passed away on August 7, 2025 at the Accura Healthcare of Milford at the age of 81. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 54 years, Sandra Dotson, and his parents; Elmer and Genevieve Dotson.

Jim Dotson is survived by his two boys and their wives: Darren and Katie Dotson of Wahpeton, IA and Damon and Ali Dotson of Waukee, IA; 5 grandchildren: Samuel, Sydney, Arlo, Dawes, and Ilah; and his sisters, (Dan) & Marilyn Neville, Margaret Scroggin, (Colonel) & Jeanette Krage, his cousins, nieces and nephews.

Memorials are designed to: Jim’s Grandchildren or Okoboji Protective Association.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials are to be directed to the family in Loving Memory of Jim for his 5 grandchildren or to the Okoboji Protective Association.