Clarence William Dotson

clarence dotson

August 3, 1925 ~ January 13, 2020

Born in: Buncombe Co., NC
Resided in: Asheville, NC

Clarence William Dotson, 94, of Asheville, died Monday, January 13, 2020, at the Charles George VA Medical Center Hospice.

Born in Buncombe County to the late Broadus J. and Susan Cauble Dotson, he was the first certified Master Mechanic in the county. He was also a pillar of Morningside Baptist Church for 65 years, where he served as Deacon, Sunday school teacher, Treasurer, and president of the Keenagers Club. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he served in Normandy, the Battle of the Bulge and the Ardennes.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Frances Frady Dotson; brothers, Broadus J. Dotson, Jr., Dudley and James; and sisters, Lib Youngblood, Lola Shook and Susan Calton.

Survivors include daughters, Beth Young (Lynn), of Clinton, TN, and Janie Dotson, of Fairview; grandchildren, Amy Jackson Forester (John) and Bonnie Jackson Kilgore; great-grandchildren, Reese, Reagan, and Riley Forester, and Katelyn Kilgore; step-children, Katrina Duggins (Robert) and Jonathan Young (Kristie); and step-grandchildren, Sam, Alex and Ella Duggins, Abi and Abraham Young and several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Saturday from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Beverly Hills Baptist Church. Funeral services will follow at 4:00 p.m. at the church, with the Revs. Earl Jones, Ron Brown and Stephen Todd officiating.

A graveside service will be held on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. at Bethany United Methodist Church Cemetery, 212 Bethany Church Road, Fairview, NC 28730.

Memorials may be made to Morningside Baptist Church, 14 Mineral Springs Rd., Asheville, NC, 28805, or to the Valor Hospice unit of the Charles George VA Medical Center, 1100 Tunnel Rd., Asheville, NC, 28805.

Groce Funeral Home on Tunnel Road is assisting the family.

Services

Funeral Home Assisting The Family:

Groce Funeral Home on Tunnel Road
856 Tunnel Rd.
Asheville, NC 28805

(828)299-4416
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com

Visitation: January 18, 2020 2:00 pm - April 24, 2024 4:00 pm

Beverly Hills Baptist Church
777 Tunnel Rd.
Asheville, NC 28805

828-298-4623

Funeral Service: January 18, 2020 4:00 pm

Beverly Hills Baptist Church
777 Tunnel Rd.
Asheville, NC 28805

828-298-4623

Graveside Service: January 19, 2020 3:00 pm

Bethany United Methodist Church Cemetery
212 Bethany Church Road
Fairview, NC 28730

828-252-3535

Army Veteran

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  1. He was a great uncle to me and my family. we will miss his laugh and smile. He loved his country and served it well. Blessings on his family and all who knew him.

  2. I had the great privilege to care for Mr. Dotson while he was at the Asheville VA Medical Center. I’ve taken care of many people over the years, but Mr. Dotson touched my heart in a very special way. He brightened my life and I will never forget him or his wonderful family.

  3. Uncle Clarence was always ready to help his fellow man. We would go to Granny and Paps for Sunday lunch,then he would take us to walk in the woods. I’m so glad I got to visit with him at our lake house this past summer. I will see him again some day.

  4. Janie, Beth and all the family.
    Oh how we loved this precious soldier. There was never a dull moment when he was around and he always had a kind word for everyone. May God give you peace in knowing we will see him in heaven. Praying for all. Love you.

  5. We are heartbroken, but so very thankful to have had this wonderful man in our lives. He loved his family, his church, his neighbors and friends and his country. Rest Peacefully, Mr. Clarence ❤️

  6. A great American Hero. Thankfully he sat down with me and I have his WWII story recorded. We will never forget the service this hero performed for this great Nation!

  7. Mr. Dotson touched so many lives in so many ways. My childhood days are filled with memories of being at the Dotson’s home on Sundays after church. Butterscotch candy was always in the candy dish and Mrs. Dotson had a feast on the table and the trip to the farm in Fairview to see the extended Dotson family was always a treat. Morningside Baptist will never be the same without Mr. Dotson’s presences there. I can’t imagine what it was like for him when he saw his Savior face to face, the one he taught so many of us about. He will be truly missed here on this side of Heaven but Praise God for the hope we have in Jesus. May that same Jesus give you comfort for the days ahead and surround you with His loving arms. Thoughts and prayers for each of you.
    Thank you Clarence Dotson for your service to our country and for your faithfulness to our Lord and Savior, I salute you with much adoration and love. Until we meet again, may you rest in peace.

  8. I had the pleasure of knowing this angel on earth as a patient at Charles George VA Medical Center. He is one of the reasons I love my position. He had a light that shined for the world to see. I see that in his family so he will live on in each of them. Mr. Dotson, it was my pleasure to know you. Our clinic was blessed by your presence every single time we saw you. RIP soldier! Praying for each family member and all the friends who knew him on this earth.

  9. Jane I am so sorry to hear of your Dad’s earthly passing, but rejoice in his receiving of eternal life with our Lord & Savior. May God provide you & your family with the strength & comfort only He can. Thank you for allowing me to meet this American Hero. He was definitely a man of valor!

  10. I knew Mr. Dotson for several years, since he took good care of my mowing machines. I live in East Asheville. He was one of the finest people I have ever met. He served his country so well in World War II, fighting in some major conflicts over seas. He became interested in the Mercedes engine during WW !!, and, upon returning to Asheville, became the only Master Mechanic who worked on Mercedes engines. He was a true patriot, humble, polite, patient, and caring. I visited him once at the VA Medical Center which he said treated him better than any other location. He was so knowledgeable and kind. I will miss him.

  11. Fine man and had nice couple talks with him in recent years – appreciate his service and God Bless him and the family

  12. I am so sorry for your loss. I had the honor of meeting this fine gentleman a few years ago at Woodfin Elementary. He was a joy to talk with and so very humble about his outstanding service to our country. The Good Lord has a fine solider with him in Heaven to spread “His Word” here on Earth. Tammy

  13. Clarence was such a treasured friend and fellow comrade to our father, Dr. Earl Shook, Jr. They shared a lifelong friendship based on genuine affection for one another, mutual admiration and undaunted respect. We all got to know Clarence over the years and enjoyed the deep bond they shared throughout their relationship. It didn’t take long for us all to appreciate what a fine man he was; something our father had enjoyed throughout their friendship. One of their fondest memories together was traveling to Normandy and then later to Thionville for the Moselle River Celebration of the liberation of France from the Nazis by Patton’s Third Army. They were treated as the heroes they were!
    Unfortunately, due to his own age of 95 and the inability to travel, Earl will not be able to be present at either service. But please know that his heart is there with his buddy and he is giving him one final, heartfelt salute as he goes home to be with his father in heaven. He will be missed.
    God bless you all as you celebrate the life of this wonderful man,
    The entire Earl Shook family

  14. One of the kindest and forever friend anyone could ask for, we worked together over 20 yrs at Skyland Oldsmobile He was a certified Mercedes-Benz tech and Supervisor in that Dept. Even after his retirement we stayed in touch, he will be missed…. He was proud to of served our country, he was one of kind… always was more concerned about others than himself… always, How are you doing Jeannie? I sure will miss his calls, he was one of a kind. Cherish his memories, as I know you will, they are forever. So many missing out of the J&S “over the Hill” breakfast friends. Dr Shook still with us, and Roy Lee, the ones gone are now welcoming Clarence in Heaven… Missing him is sad, but good knowing he is in a better place and our memories he left us to cherish. I pray God to keep his arms around each of the family he loved so much.

    • I am at a loss for words. I live out of state now and didn’t know of Clarence’s passing. He meant the world to members of the 14th Weather Squadron. He was the epitome of a servant leader. I loved him dearly. Rest well, Soldier.

  15. Beth & Janie & family ! What a treasure you had for a father & grandfather! First time I met Clarence, I had put an ad in the IWANNA paper. He called & asked for directions to come by & look at the item. Gave him directions to our house & he said he believed he could find it! In abt 20 minutes he knocked on the door, introduced himself & said he would take the item. He sat & talked with me abt 5 minutes before Don got home! Well, when Don came in, they called each other by name & began to chat. He then told me the house we were renting belonged to his brother. We all had a big laugh..because I didnt know! I had not worked that particular day & was wearing a T-shirt that read: I’m not FAT, I’m just FLUFFY ! So we had a big laugh abt that as well. From that day forward..to Clarence Dotson..I was known as “Fluff” or “Fluffy”… but not before he asked me with all due respect..if I minded !

    Clarence Dotson was a one of a kind man! I thank him for the gentleman he was, his service to our country, the love for his family & friends..but most of all for what he believed & stood for when talking with you about Jesus !

    One day family, if we are ready to meet Jesus, we will see Clarence Dotson again! Free from pain and I’m sure with a smile still on his face.

  16. Janie and family I am so sorry to hear about Clarence ,I wished I had known I would have came to the funeral .Clarence was a fine man he was always there when you needed him and never told you he couldn’t do something he was a great loss to all of us who knew him we will miss him very much .If there is anything we can do for any of you please let us know .RIP Clarence we will see you again


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