I met Joe in 1982 at the Officer's Club @ Camp Shelby, MS.  Pilots and nurses have a long history of gravitating towards each other. What followed was a lifetime of laughs, vacations, adventures, great dinners and of course fabulous wine, guitar playing, weddings, divorces, moves, kids growing up, grandkids, retirements, etc... Joe shared some of the most important, active years of my family’s life. Through it all he remained  one of my dearest, and truest friends. You will be sorely missed!

Rest In Peace my friend.   Joe was my mentor when I was at Millsaps and helped me learn the investment business and get my first job interview.  He was my friend and mentor and I was one of a long line of  people he mentored and taught over the years.  When you asked Joe what you could do for him he would always say that he just wanted you to help someone else is when you could.   He said that was what you could do for him.   Not sure how many lives he touched in total but I can tell you it was a lot.   I will miss him and always remember the kind words of encouragement over the years.   I will miss him.     Steve Sansom

I went to high school with Joe, he was such a sweet guy and always fun and happy.  He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Rest In Peace Joe and peace to your love ones.

I’m at Joe through a mutual friend who knew the Joe and I shared a mutual love for the guitar. Whenever I would travel to Jackson on business I would look up Joe and, whenever possible, would spend the evening picking, swapping tall tales , and drinking good wine. His love of Guitars was evident by the incredible collection he proudly displayed in his home. As proud as he was of his collection, they were not trophies to be admired, they were also instruments to be played and Joe would make sure you played every darn one of them. I will forever cherish those evenings and remember his generosity and kind spirit. My sympathies to his family.

Joe and I have been friends for 47 years. We had so many common interests and thoroughly enjoyed our time together. He loved the outdoors, fishing, hunting and traveling. We shared a mutual passion for flying and even owned a plane together for 10 years. I always told Joe that he had real talent for teaching others! He loved sharing his talent and knowledge with others. He was an incredible collector of guns, knives, guitars and wine. He enjoyed having music sessions inviting great talented musicians to his house for jam sessions. Joe was such a giving person. He loved sharing his possessions with others. Everything Joe undertook he studied until he became a master at it. Then, he loved teaching others what he had learned. I believe Joe had horrific memories from Vietnam as I could never get him to talk about them. I am so appreciative of his service along with so many others! I will miss my friend greatly and will be praying that his family and loved ones gain peace and will be lifted up during this time of loss. I hope to see my friend again. 

Mike and I met Joe a few years ago and the conversation began over a glass of wine.  The friendship grew and we enjoyed spending time with him and then eventually met Karen.  We shared many good times together over spirits, food and music.  We had many mutual friends and enjoyed great fellowship together.  We loved the music sessions in his home and making smothered quail with many of our friends.  I’m sure he and Mike And some of our other departed friends are catching up in Heaven.  My thought and prayers are with Karen and his entire family.

Joe was a roommate in college. He was such a pleasant and enjoyable person to be around. There are many stories to tell and I was fortunate to have experienced many of those times with Joe. He was a very jovial and positive person. He served his country honorably during Vietnam and  I  appreciated his service. Joe will be missed and I pray his family & love ones are comforted at this time.

Joe was a lifelong friend. From childhood through high school and college roommates and  the years thereafter.  He will be surely missed. I am proud to have called him my friend. 
Rest In Peace my old friend


Farris and I met Joe and Karen several years ago while dining with the "brunch club" at Amerigos on Sunday mornings.  We were even lucky enough to take a couple of trips to New Orleans on the train with our group.  The memories we made will forever be in our hearts as we laughed, drank and ate until we could no more!  Joe was one of the most intelligent and interesting people we have had the pleasure of being around.  We could listen to his stories for hours and never be bored.  He was a pleather of knowledge.  To see how much he loved and cared for Karen was so refreshing.  They were truly a match made in heaven.  Our prayers are with Karen during this difficult time and that she finds peace in knowing how much we care for her and how we will miss Joe dearly.  Gail and Farris Gibbs

There are no words that can adequately express the loss of this man to me. He was kind, extremely generous, patient, teacher, and a loving friend. I will always miss his presence. God bless the family

OBITUARY

Joseph Dotson

November 30, 1944 – August 23, 2020

Parkway Funeral Home & Parkway Memorial Cemetery

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