Jack Allen Dotson, 89, passed away Monday, July 14, 2025 at OSU Wexner Medical Center after a short illness.
He was born at home in Carey, Ohio on January 31, 1936 to Monroe Walls “Bump” and Ruth Isabell (Montague) Dotson. The youngest of three boys, Jack enjoyed growing up in Carey. He looked up to and admired his older brothers. He could often be found at “Hazel’s Restaurant,” his grandmother’s family restaurant. There his mom and aunts could feed him and keep an eye on him. Jack graduated from Carey High School in 1955 and attended Ohio University and Findlay College, playing football.
On June 3, 1956, Jack married his high school sweetheart, Annabelle Beagle. Jack and Ann were soulmates and he loved her dearly. Jack and Ann soon started a family, which grew to include four active children. Jack worked most of his career in the stone quarry business, taking the family from Carey to North Baltimore, Paulding, Luckey, then Nevada, Ohio. They lived in Nevada during most of the children’s school years. Once the children were grown, Jack’s work took them to Florida, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and back to Carey. In retirement, they returned to Bucyrus.
Jack and Ann supported their children in their many events, especially sports. Family was very important to them. Jack and Ann loved golf and in later years, their TV was always on The Golf Channel. Jack had a longtime interest in photography and enjoyed hunting. He especially liked spending time at the family cabin in the Allegheny Mountains with his parents, uncles, cousins, and later his own family. Jack and Ann enjoyed their times spent with friends and maintained friendships over the years and distances. They also valued time spent with their extended families. Jack was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Bucyrus and was once active in the Masonic Order. He especially enjoyed his morning coffee and banter with his Pelican House friends in recent years.
Jack is survived by children; Joseph (Tammy) Dotson, Julie Crall, David (Paula) Dotson, and Michael Dotson (Angie Simonetti): grandchildren; Hope Dotson, Jeremy (Beth) Crall, Aaron (Ashley) Crall, Todd (Kenzie) Crall, Heather (Tyler) Green, Matt Dotson, Ellen (Tyler) Haldeman, Emily Dotson (Matt Dietrich), Trent (Lauren) Dotson, Taylor (Jacob) Rogers, Zachary Dotson: 21 great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; and sister-in-law, Pat Dotson; along with nieces, nephews, and extended family.
In addition to his parents, Jack was preceded in death by his bride of 67 years, Ann Dotson; grandson, Daniel Dotson; brothers, Lt. William A. Dotson, USN and Edwin G. Dotson; and sister-in-law, Shirley Dotson Caudill.
Memorial services will be held on Saturday, July 26 at Wise Funeral Service in Bucyrus. Family will receive friends from 11-11:55 am and the service will begin at 12 Noon with Jack’s dear friend and former pastor, Don L. Neumann officiating. He will be laid to rest privately next to Ann in Spring Grove Cemetery in Carey.
Memorial gifts can be made payable to Hope Clinic or the Humane Society Serving Crawford County through the funeral home. Memories and photos can be shared on the guestbook of Jack’s tribute page at www.wisefuneral.com.
