Obituary of Ralph Wick Dotson

Ralph Wick Dotson, age 91 of Lafayette, TN passed away on Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at the Westmoreland Care and Rehab. Funeral services for Ralph Wick Dotson were conducted Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 11 a.m. from the chapel of Alexander Funeral Home with Elder Otis Jones officiating. Interment followed in the Macon County Memorial Gardens. Serving as Pallbearers were Terry Goad, Matt Russell, Tim Austin, Adam White, Billy King, and Larry Goad. Ralph Wick Dotson was born on June 11, 1920 in Lafayette, Tennessee to the late Chester Wert Dotson and Lena Esther Marsh Dotson. He was one of ten siblings born this union. On October 26, 2011 at the age of 91, Ralph went to be with the Lord. On May 4, 1940, Ralph married the love of his life, Mary Lee Archer, sharing sixty-nine years together. He was blessed with two daughters, Lou Crabtree and the late Julia Cothron. The love of his life, Mary Lee, preceded him in death on January 6, 2010. Ralph started out working in a service station on the square in Lafayette as a young man and as a hobby, restored old cars. He took his family to Indiana for six years, where he worked for Firestone Rubber Company. After returning home to Tennessee, Ralph was employed at Twin Lakes Phone Company for several years. Later, he worked as a Lafayette Police Officer for five years. The enjoyment of working on cars never left him and Ralph soon decided to open his own business, The Union 76 Service Station. There Ralph remained for the next twenty-five years, pumping gas, serving the public, and distributing fuel; he retired in 1990. Ralph worked hard most of his life, but did enjoy taking time out for fishing. He liked fishing in area lakes and deep sea fishing in Florida. Being a sports fan, Ralph enjoyed watching the Titans play and watching the S.E.C. games. He served as a member on the Macon County School Board for several years and was a member of the Odd Fellows. Ralph was saved as a young boy and joined Antioch Missionary Baptist Church where he remained a member. Being blessed with good neighbors, Ralph was checked on daily by Earl and Freda Pitchford, Mrs. Herley Gregory, son Carl, and also his sister-in-law Peggy Goad. His life was also strengthened by the good caregivers and great home health that he received. Ralph has four grand puppies, Bella, Archer, Cole, and Jaxon that will miss the playtime and love he gave them. His daughter, family and friends will greatly miss Ralph, but our loss is Heaven's Gain. Ralph is survived by; Daughter, Lou (Alan) Crabtree of Cookville, TX, Granddaughter, Lisa (Steve) Howard of Nashville, TN, Grandson, Chris Cothron of Lafayette, TN, Sister, Dean (James) Austin, Brother-in-law, Robert Archer, Sisters-in-law, Peggy (Ray) Goad, and Rachel Dotson all of Lafayette, TN, several nieces and nephews, also survive. Alexander Funeral Home, Directors, in charge of arrangements. (615)666-2189 or www.alexanderfh.com