Dr. Curtis Carl Dotson

OBITUARY

DR CURTIS DOTSON

 Dr Curtis Carl Dotson, one of four children, was born in Amarillo, Texas, on January 11, 1941, to Curtis and Pearl (Watts) Dotson. They soon moved to Denver, Colorado where the family settled permanently. His siblings included: Gloria Dotson Henderson, Adair Dotson, and Sallie Dotson Hayward Qualls.

 Curtis attended Wyman Elementary, Morey Junior, and Manual High Shool from which he graduated in 1959. He played football in high school and excelled in track, placing third in the nation in the long jump during his junior year.

 After graduation, Curtis briefly attended Adams State College in Durango, CO and then transferred to Pueblo Junior College for two years where he ran track and on weekends worked as a hospital tech at Pueblo State Mental Hospital. Later, while working at the Wheat Ridge Regional Center for the Disabled as a recreational specialist, he began attending Metropolitan State College in Denver, graduating in 1970 with a Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Science.

 Curtis earned two additional academic degrees - Master of Social Work from the University of Denver in 1972 and Doctor of Education from the University of Northern Colorado in 1984. His published doctoral thesis was entitled: “The Effects of Progressive Relaxation Exercise Training on Classroom Behavior”.

 During his employment years, Curtis worked for Ft Logan Mental Health Center as a social worker, Community College of Denver as an instructor, Colorado Civil Rights Commission as a Civil Rights Specialist, and Jefferson County Schools as a psychologist/social worker. Curtis had been an administrator, a supervisor, a clinical therapist, and an educational consultant. He also ran for the Denver School Board at one time. He retired from Jefferson County Colorado Schools in 1996. 

 His interests in retirement included: cheering on the Broncos, collecting the team’s memorabilia, traveling by RV, singing with his Omnichord, enjoying their pets, and visiting relatives and friends. He was active for a number of years with the Black Educators Advisory Council, a local advocacy group for the improved education of black children. 

 Curtis and his first wife, Iris Dotson, married in 1965, were parents of four children: Adriann Dotson Taylor, Alan Dotson, Curtis Dotson III, and Carla Dotson Pradia. Curtis and Iris later divorced. She passed away in 2006. 

 He married his current wife, Carol Friedrich Dotson, in 1982. They resided in Denver. Curtis and Carol have six grandchildren, Dominick, Christal, Raegan, Quinton, Bailey, Dawn, and nine great grandchildren. 

 He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, and his brother. After a lengthy illness, Curtis passed away on February 22, 2025 at the age of 84. He is survived by his wife, Carol Friedrich Dotson; his four children: Adriann Taylor, Alan Dotson, Curtis Dotson III, and Carla Pradia; his six grandchildren and nine great grandchildren, numerous other relatives and special friends. 

 He will be missed for his significant presence in many lives, his helpful words of wisdom, his entertaining sense of humor, and many years of shared and wonderful memories.