James “Jimmy” Dotson, 65, of Florence, died Oct. 18, 2012, at his residence after a brief illness. Visitation will be Monday, Oct. 22, 2012, from 3-5 p.m., with the memorial service immediately following at Greenview Funeral Home in Florence.
Jimmy was born in Shelby, N.C., Nov. 9, 1945, to the late James Howard Dotson and Rhoda Moore Dotson.
During his younger days, Jimmy enjoyed playing ball with friends in Petersville, Underwood and later at Central High School (Bill Terry). During his later years he enjoyed bowling and playing golf.
After graduating from high school, he served in the United States Army in Vietnam with the First Air Cavalry A 101st Airborne Division and 82nd Airborne. In 1969 he joined the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington D.C. During his police career, he served in numerous positions before retiring as a lieutenant in charge of the Third District Detective’s Unit. After retiring from the police department in 1990, he served as police chief of the Edmonston Police Department, Edmonston Md., from 1990 until 1994.
He was a member of the Elks Lodge 820 in Florence, Ala., and Moose Lodge 2034, Cheverly American Legion in Landover, Md., St. John’s Lodge 12 in Washington D.C., Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 89 and the Retired Police Association.
He was preceded in death by James Edward McMackin (natural father); grandparents, Eulas McMackin and Juanita Simmons McMackin; stepson, Jerome Coaxum; uncle Eugene McMackin and aunt Matie Lou King.
He is survived by two loving sons, Jonathan A. Dotson of Florence, and Patrick A. Dotson, of Annapolis, Md.; stepdaughter, Michele Coaxum-Dozier, of Upper Marlboro, Md.; five beautiful granddaughters, Kayla Dotson, Ava Dotson and Heaven Dozier of Maryland, and Ava and Breanna Dotson, of Florence; two grandsons, Jerome and Jaelean Coaxum, of Maryland; a caring brother, Luckie Dotson of Florence; two admiring nephews, David and Max Dotson of Florence; his loving and caring ex-wife, Nora E. Coaxum, of Annapolis, Md.; two sisters, Vickie Forbus of Paris, Tenn., and Kay Edge of Jackson, Tenn.; two brothers, Barry McMackin of Jackson, Tenn., and Ronny McMackin, of Paris, Tenn.; and a host of nieces, nephews and other family members.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Hospice of the Shoals or the AmericanCancer Society .
An online guestbook may be signed at www.greenviewmemorial.com. Arrangements by Greenview Funeral Home.
