David Ted Dotts

With heavy but forever grateful hearts, we announce that David Theodore Dotts (“Ted”) left this earth on Sunday, June 27, 2021, surrounded by his loving family at his home on Lacey Lake. The eldest of seven siblings, Ted was born in Ann Arbor on August 9, 1939, to Raymond Theodore Dotts and Florence Marjorie (Densham) Dotts. He was a lifelong resident of Michigan.
Ted grew up at the family home, fondly known as the Ranch, near Whitmore Lake. He graduated from Dexter High School in 1957 and joined the United States Navy. After his honorable discharge, he attended Michigan State University before returning to Ann Arbor. He was married to Barbara (Dieterle) Faulkner on August 31, 1961. They raised three children together and remained close friends throughout his life.
The young family moved to Charlotte in 1967, where Ted immediately immersed himself in the community. He deeply believed in giving back. Among other service activities over the years, Ted was a past member of the Charlotte Volunteer Fire Department, Charlotte City Council, the Eaton County Mounted Sheriff’s Posse, and the Charlotte Jaycees. He volunteered for many years for Eaton Hospice, was an active part of the congregation at St. John’s Episcopal Church and was a member of American Legion Post 42.
His great life became even better when he met Gayle Sanborn, to whom he was wed on October 21, 2000. They were truly soulmates and helped each other and the entire family through life’s inevitable ups and downs. They enjoyed traveling and highlights included England, Alaska, Savannah, Ga. and visiting family in Hayes, Va.
Ted was the Charter President of the Charlotte Optimist Club, founded in 1976. He held many roles at local and state levels, including Governor of the Michigan District of Optimist International. He followed the Optimist Creed to a tee and worked tirelessly to help the organization in its mission to bring out the best in our youth.
Speaking of tees, golf was a big part of Ted’s life—watching and playing. He also enjoyed fishing, gardening, and being a spectator at any event in which his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren participated. Ted loved good food, playing cards, and was a voracious reader. We believe the word “hangry” was coined especially for him, and he always had a little room left for Boston Coolers, rhubarb pie and the famous Dotts family mint roll.
After retiring from Farm Bureau as an insurance salesman, Ted knew idle hands were not for him. As well as continuing his volunteerism, he held post-retirement positions at local car dealerships before his ultimate retirement position at Byrum Ace Hardware. Ted enjoyed serving the customers and his camaraderie with his coworkers.
Ted had a great sense of humor and continued to crack jokes right up until the end, even when we didn’t think he was listening to the conversations going on around him. He cared deeply for his family and friends, and it was clear this was reciprocated with the enormous outreach and number of visitors when he fell ill. His large, extended family and friends provided tremendous support and comfort in his final days.
Our beloved Ted was preceded in death by his parents, as well as his brother, Richard Dotts, and Richard’s wife, Louise (Haddon) Dotts. He is survived by his wife, Gayle (Sanborn) Dotts of Bellevue; daughter, Lori Dotts of Grass Lake; daughter, Lisa (John) Kozitzki of Hayes, Va.; son, Stephen (Ahnika) Dotts of Charlotte; grandchildren Alyssa (Brent) Bos, Brandon Kozitzki, Brittany Kozitzki, Kelsey Meyer, McKenna (Kenny Dennis) Kozitzki, Silver Dotts, Stevie Dotts, Zoë Dotts-Brown, Avery Dotts-Brown, and Abigail Dotts; great-grandchildren Natalie, Charlotte, Callum, Sykes, Taevyn, Wilder, Calliope, Annabelle, Peyton, Dawson, and Aidan; siblings Barb (Russ) Soffredine of Gaylord, Sally (Robert) Schlupe of Munith, Nancy (Duane) Nagel of Grand Rapids, Wendy (Lynn) Arntson of Chelsea, and Ray (Julie) Dotts of Jackson; sister-in-law, Bethany (Don) Grubb of Midland; brother-in-law, Roy (Linda) Sanborn of Cincinnati; son-in-law, Charles Brown of Grass Lake; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
The family sincerely thanks Ted’s medical care providers, including Dr. Ted Coy, Dr. Carol Rapson, Sparrow Hospital, and the wonderful staff at Elara Caring.
Friends and family were received on Wednesday, June 30, 2021, at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home in Charlotte. On Thursday, July 1, 2021, an Episcopal service was hosted by the Charlotte Congregational Church. Ted will be interred at Fort Custer Memorial Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be offered to the Optimist International Foundation or Helping Hands Food Pantry in Charlotte.
To view Ted’s obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit burkhead-green-kilgo.com.