Charles H. "Charlie" Dotson, Jr.

Charles H. Dotson, Jr. (Charlie), 83, passed away peacefully in his sleep December 27, 2024, holding the hands of his children, Beth and Grant.

Throughout his life, he was known by many names. Charles, Jr. Son. Brother. No. 1. Charles. Charlie. Daddy. Dad. Junie. The TCI Guy. A colleague once gave him the nickname “Creative Problem Solver,” which he embraced with gusto.

By any measure, his life was one well-lived and well-loved. 

Charles Dotson was born on December 21,1941 to Charles Herbert Dotson, Sr., and Mildred Jean Mosier Dotson. He came into this world two weeks after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, with his father already on the way to Europe with the Army. He was the oldest of four boys. His brothers, Gary, Larry, and Mark meant the world to him, and he was so proud of them. He would recount all the fun they had growing up down on Spruce St in Highland Park, playing stickball in the open field, and then later the mischief they got into when they moved over to East Sevier. As he grew older, his brothers remained an important part of his life all the way to the end. 

He started work at 14 as a bagboy at Oakwood Market, later working his way up to cashier at the Pot O’ Gold convenience store, a lucky thing because that is where this young man with the black curly hair and shy smile caught the eye of Betty Jane Roberts, who would become the love of his life. 

Every day she would convince her sister to take her to the Pot O’ Gold to buy a Goo Goo Cluster so she’d have an excuse to talk to him. And it worked! Not long afterwards Charlie asked her if she had a date to the Fall Frolics at the Civic Auditorium. They went on their first date on October 30, 1959 and danced the night away. Thus started one of the greatest love stories of all time.

They were married on November 7, 1964, and were married for 56 years and together for 61 before she passed in 2020. They laughed, they danced, they supported each other. Dots and Junie, as they called each other, were one another’s greatest cheerleaders. With thoughtful planning and great intentionality, they built a life together they were proud of. Their love and partnership was an inspiration. When Betty fell sick with cancer, Charlie cared for her every step of the way, showing what it truly means to love in “sickness and in health.”

Charlie was the greatest father anyone could ever hope to have. He loved his children, Beth and Grant, unconditionally. Made sure they felt how proud he was of them. Stood alongside them. Planned with them. Advocated for them. Cheered for them. Acts of service were his love language, and his children never came home to visit that he wasn’t up early, washing their cars and checking the oil. Together with Betty, he gave his children strong roots and cheered them on when it was time for them to fly. He embraced his children’s spouses, Jamey Messersmith and Sara Dotson, and the families his children went on to create with them.

He told the grandkids to call him Junie, and he launched headfirst into being a grandfather. Aiden, Riley, Ella, and Owen loved how he was silly and sweet, how he’d dance a funny jig, and get down to play with them. He was endlessly proud of their accomplishments. Nothing made him happier than one of his grandkids climbing up in his lap, holding his hand, dancing with him, or pulling him in tight for a hug. 

Charlie’s professional life really began at 18, when he went to work in the research department mail room at Eastman Kodak. He began in the mailroom and spent the next ten years working his way up. For thirteen years, he took college classes at night while working full-time and ultimately earned his Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management from Tusculum College.

He became the Manager of Corporate Real Estate at Eastman Chemical and acquired vast international experience handling projects in Asia, Latin and South America, and Europe. For a number of years, he’d travel the world almost half the year, coming home with the stories of places he’d seen and people he’d met. After working in nearly 30 countries, he returned with photos of him on the Great Wall of China, in front of the Eiffel Tower, with windmills and tulips in the Netherlands, in Asian fish markets, in front of temples in India, and with the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio. 

All over the world, co-workers became friends and he’d return home telling of hikes he’d taken in the Swiss mountains or dinners where friends had invited him into their homes. And when those friends came to Kingsport, they always had dinner in his. Through his stories, and the colleagues and friends he brought home, he introduced his children to the world. 

He became a Master of Corporate Real Estate, and after 40 years of service with Eastman, founded his own business called Global Integrators. Through Global Integrators, he continued contracting for Eastman and began to develop a relationship with Jerry Petzoldt, which led to a new phase of his career. For the next twenty-one years, he worked as a corporate realtor with the TCI Group-Jerry Petzoldt Agency. During that time, he was awarded the Impact Award by the Kingsport Office of Small Business Development and Entrepreneurship. 

Charlie proudly embraced the nickname “Creative Problem Solver.” Where other people saw problems, he saw opportunities. In fact, opportunity was his favorite word. He saw potential in things and in people, and that worldview drove him to never settle and to encourage others to do the same. 

Beyond his professional work, Charlie was deeply involved in and committed to his community. He was an active member of the Colonial Heights United Methodist Church, served with the United Way, Girls, Inc., First Night, Kingsport Tomorrow, the Downtown Kingsport Association, Carpenters Helpers, was co-president of the PTA, and worked with a number of economic development initiatives. He also looked for opportunities to help people one-on-one, with a generous and loving spirit.

Charlie was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Betty Jane Roberts Dotson, and his parents, Charles H. Dotson, Sr. and Mildred Jean Mosier Dotson. He leaves behind to cherish his memory his children, Beth Dotson Messersmith (and husband Jamey), Grant Dotson (and wife Sara), his grandchildren Aiden Messersmith, Riley Messersmith, Ella Dotson, Owen Dotson, brothers and sisters-in-law Gary Dotson, Larry & Angie Dotson, Mark & Deb Dotson, niece Amy Dotson (and Jason), nephew Jackson Blanton (and Lisa and children Jacob and McKinley), and niece Melissa Dotson Rumsey (and Trevor).

His family extends their deepest gratitude to the kind caregivers of The Lantern at Morning Pointe of Chattanooga who brought laughter, compassion, and dignity to Charlie’s life.

The family invites you to join them for a visitation with friends on Thursday, January 2nd, from 5-7 pm at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, 117 E. Charlemont Ave, Kingsport, TN, and for a celebration of his life officiated by Reverend Robert Smith on Friday, January 3rd, at 11 am at Colonial Heights United Methodist Church, 631 Lebanon Rd, Kingsport, TN, followed by burial services at 1 pm at Oak Hill Cemetery, 800 Truxton Dr, Kingsport, TN.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made via check to Sullivan County Dept. of Education, 154 Blountville Bypass, P.O. Box 306, Blountville, TN 37617 in support of homeless children within our local school system. Please make checks out to Sullivan County Schools and note Family Involvement Funds on the memo line. Charlie believed firmly that every child deserves to grow up in a safe, loving, and stable home, and your support of these families would have meant a great deal to him.