Dotson Thomas Gavin

After a battle with lung cancer, Dotson Thomas (“Tommy”) Gavin, age 78, passed away in the early morning hours of October 3, 2026, at his home in Chunchula, Alabama with his loving and dedicated wife, Latrelle Gavin, by his side. Born on June 6, 1948, in McKenzie, Alabama, Tommy spent his young life as one of seven siblings born to Juanita and Alton Gavin. As a young boy, he had a paper route where he rode his bicycle in the wee hours of Sunday mornings tossing newspapers into the yards of friends and family in Eight Mile, Alabama. He was charismatic and could talk anyone into anything, including his sisters who he paid a quarter for every pair of pants they would iron for him. He was always well-dressed with that sister-ironed-crease in his jeans. Everyone naturally gravitated to him because he knew how to make you laugh, making every situation and every conversation more special. He had a sense of mischief always waiting to bubble out.

Any time of day was the right time for a cup of strong coffee for him. He’d offer you a cup after he banged his spoon so loudly against the cup stirring in his sugar. As an adult, Tommy made his living traveling across the country hanging iron and building buildings.

Tommy had the most beautiful and sparkling blue eyes. Eyes that made you feel seen and loved when you were around him. He loved all of his family, but he loved his mama, Juanita, the most, second only to his wife, Latrelle. In 1968, at the young age of 18, Tommy enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he was a Corporal in Marine artillery. He served bravely in Vietnam at the same time as his younger brother, Charles Gavin, who also enlisted. The mark of war could not snuff out their brotherly love, though. After many denied requests, they finally got to see each other during their tour. Meanwhile, their mother, Juanita, was adamantly writing to her congressman to bring at least one of her sons home. When she finally got permission to have one sent home, neither Tommy nor Charles would leave the other behind and they both stayed until their jobs were done. Part of Tommy’s charisma was deeply tied to music. Music was another love of his life that kept him going during his time in Vietnam. He spent Christmas there, and asked that a cassette tape of Charles Brown’s Please Come Home For Christmas be mailed to him to get him through the holidays. Once Tommy and Charles finally made it back home, they lived the rest of their lives with an enduring connection and unifying bond unmatched by any other.

Not long after returning home, Tommy met Latrelle, who has always been described as “the perfect match” for him. They spent 51 years of marriage together, demonstrating to all of his nieces and nephews what true love and commitment should look like. Tommy’s ringtone when Latrelle called was Waylon Jennings’ Sweet Dream Woman, which was befitting of all the ways he honored her. During his life Tommy had many dogs—Tippie, Yuma, Miss Jesse, Jake, Kiss, Sally and Maggie.

On top of the love for his country, his family, his dogs, good food and country music, Tommy loved Dale Earnhardt, Alabama football, NASCAR, a good joke, and a good meal. But above all of this, Tommy was a good leader. He was a leader in demonstrating what it meant to be a Gavin, how to serve, how to simultaneously be gentle and strong, how to be courageous, how to love your family, and how to love your country. He embodied Joshua 1:9, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Tommy’s legacy is long and bright, and each one of us is proud to belong to him. Tommy is preceded in death by his parents, Alton Gavin and Juanita Gavin Johnson, and by his sister, Gayle (nee Gavin) Thames, and his brother, Charles David Gavin. The remaining four of his brothers and sisters will be present to celebrate his life: Florence Gavin Dunnam (Michael), Diane Gavin Waller (Calvin), Margaret Gavin Lundy (Rocky), and Otis Paul Gavin (Julia) as well as his sister-in-law, Karen Gavin and brother-in-law, Van Thames. Tommy’s extensive web of nieces and nephews and their families will also be in attendance to celebrate his unique story, joyful moments, and positive impact rather than focusing on the somber loss. A chapel service celebrating Tommy’s life will be held at Forest Lawn Funeral Home in Saraland, Alabama, on October 8, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. The family will receive guests beginning at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens.

The world is a smaller place without Tommy in it, but while he was with us, he lived his life to the fullest. Semper fi.