James Orval "J.O." Dotson Ii

James Orval "J.O." Dotson II, 65, of Sedalia, MO, passed away Tuesday, January 3, 2023, at Bothwell Regional Health Center in Sedalia. He was born on February 19, 1957, in Sedalia, MO,the son of James Orval Dotson and Mildred Ruth (Glasscock) Dotson, who preceded him in death.

On April 8, 1977, in Sedalia, MO, he was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Joyce Elaine Farris, who resides in the home.

J.O. was raised and educated in Sedalia. He graduated in 1975 from Smith-Cotton, where he played tuba in the band and served on student council. He had a garage band with neighborhood friends where he played guitar and sang. After high school, he worked as foreman for Mid-Mo Electric until the business relocated, then going to work for Hayes (Maxion) Wheels until his back injury. J.O. was a loyal husband to Joyce and this April would have made 47 years of marriage. All his life, he enjoyed camping with family and friends and was an avid fisherman, competing in several fishing tournaments in his 20’s. He was a skilled deer hunter, enjoyed looking for arrowheads, morel mushrooms, and a good deal at garage sales. For many years, he coached his daughters' softball teams, later teaching Ian to play baseball and spent a combined 30+ years at the ballpark. He was always their biggest fan and was a voice heard throughout the park or stadium.

J.O. was very influential in the lives of all four of his grandsons, helping raise them and teaching important life lessons. He was kind, putting others before himself, and always helping someone. Whether it was working on cars, replacing appliances or other odd jobs, he was there to help at a moment's notice. He was known to give rides to those walking in the rain, jump or push a stalled car, or make sure a neighborhood kid owned a bike or a ball glove. But most of all, he was very devoted to his family, working hard every day of his life, not for his own benefit, but for those he loved. His family will tell you he’s the greatest man they’ve ever known and his sudden absence from their lives is of monumental regard.

Along with his wife, J.O. is survived by two daughters, Marcella Dotson and Stephanie Dotson, both of Sedalia; four grandsons, Ian, Phoenix, Jace, and Pharris; a brother, Bill Dotson, of Sedalia; two sisters, Nancy Rittenhouse (Jim), of Hereford, AZ, and Ruth Earlene Hutcheson, of Sedalia; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, J.O. was preceded in death by a sister, Carol Dotson.

A celebration of gathering of family and friends will be held from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday, January 13, 2023, at Rea Funeral Chapel, Sedalia.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sedalia School District Foundation, Inc. for Smith-Cotton High School Baseball in the care of Rea Funeral Chapel.