Eugene Arthur Dobson

Eugene “Gene” Arthur Dobson, age 81, passed away on Monday, February 27, 2023, at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown. Gene was born on March 30, 1941, in New Virginia, IA, to Leo Franklin and Olive Lucille (Orfield) Dobson. Gene served his country in the United States Navy from 1958-1963, working as a diesel mechanic during the Korean and Vietnam wars, Cuban Missile Crisis and Bay of Pigs. On April 23, 1960, Gene was united in marriage to Jacqueline Lee Adams at the Central Reformed Church in Oskaloosa. Gene and Jackie shared 62 years of marriage prior to his passing. For the majority of his working life, Gene was an over the road truck driver, originally as an owner/operator but spent a majority of years with Smithway Motor Express (SMX). Gene was a former member of the Iowa Trucker’s Association. He was also a member of the American Legion and the Moose Lodge. He could fix anything. Gene enjoyed being outdoors, camping at the State Fair and people watching. He also enjoyed traveling with Jackie and wintering in Donna, Texas. He loved his dogs over the years, Spud, Toby, Noodles, Diesel, and Laddie. Above all else, Gene’s family was everything to him and he cherished all of the time spent with them, especially his grandchildren. Gene is survived by his wife, Jacqueline; 2 sons, Ronald “Dobey” (Diane) Dobson and Dennis “Red” (Lori) Dobson; 3 daughters, Sandra (Joel) Clayton, Holly (Randy) Toom, and Theresa “Charlie” (Brian) Bambrook; 14 grandchildren, Amanda, Benjamin, Hayley, Erin, Garrett, Adam, Brent, Caitlin, Lacey, Mary, Mandy, Lynae, Lanie, and Jon; 30 great grandchildren, Bailey, Hannah, Holly Lauren, Emma, Annabelle, Nikko, Lydia, ShyAnne, Xander, Nora, Maverick, Katherine, William, Madison, Daniel, Kaiden, Ann Grace, Maeve Jacqueline, Hank, Maren, Betty, Astrid, Dex, Garrus, Malak, Isabelle, Phineas, Maci, Justin, Karleigh, Caden, Spud, Jacenry, Silas, Margot, and Myles; and a sister, Patricia Ann Smedal. Gene is also survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins, and good friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Olive; his brothers: Claire, Charles, Raymond, Joe, Donald, and Robert Dobson and his sisters: Maurine Frizzell, Gloria Garton, Mary Dobson and Virginia Vaughn. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Gene’s family present to greet family and friends. A memorial service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Pastor Dennis Durst officiating and military honors provided by the American Legion of Albia, Lovilia, and Melrose. Burial will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at Palestine Cemetery in Leon, IA. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to Volunteer Services at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown.

Eugene Arthur Dobson

March 30, 1941 - February 27, 2023