Marion LeRoy Dobson

Marion Leroy Dobson passed away peacefully on November 18, 2023 in Fort Collins, CO at the age of 96. He was born January 21, 1927 in Sutherland, NE to Lyle and Bertie Dobson, the second of six children. When he was 6 years old, they moved to Hershey, NE followed by a move to Big Springs, NE where he met the love of his life, Bette Jean Kyes. A story that reflects this love is when Bette had a ruptured appendix at the age of 14 and he spent every available moment at the hospital awaiting her recovery. After graduation from Big Springs Rural High School, Marion farmed in the Big Springs area with his dad and brothers until he was drafted into the Army at the age of 18 as a Mess Sergeant reporting to Camp Hood, TX. He also took care of German POWs. When he returned, he and Bette eloped on Sept 23, 1950 in Kearney, NE. He then enlisted in the Navy and was stationed in Norfolk, VA where their first two daughters, Cheryl & Karen, were born. They moved to Sterling, CO area where he farmed and they added two more daughters, Dixie & Debbie. After doing construction for 3 years in Pierre and Rapid City, SD, the family returned to Sterling. Marion was the head of maintenance for RE-1 Valley school district, a dispatcher at Sterling Colorado Beef Company, and an over-the-road truck driver during their years in Sterling. He also served on the Logan County Sheriff’s Posse. His favorite job was driving the Tiger bus for the Sterling High School boys sports teams to their out of town games. In 1983 Marion and Bette, then empty nesters, moved to Fort Collins. He drove trucks for Hersch Trucking and Western Mobile along with driving a school bus for Poudre School District. He made many friends during this time. McDonald’s on Elizabeth St. was a favorite meeting place for he and Bette during their retirement years along with Lamar’s on Drake & Shields. He enjoyed golf, playing cards, riding his Harley Davidson Tour Glide Classic, going to Texas as snowbirds with Bette, and spending time with family. Bette suffered from Parkinson’s Disease and Marion gave many hours of his life trying to care for her at home until she was placed in skilled nursing in 2015. He loved her and his family fiercely in his own way. In 2021, Marion moved to New Mercer Commons, an assisted living facility in Fort Collins. He loved it there and was well loved by residents and staff alike. We are so grateful for all the wonderful staff from CNA’s, nurses, office staff, housekeepers, etc. for the wonderful care they gave him. His family is thankful for the staff at Centre Avenue Health and Rehab Facility and the assistance of Pathways Hospice in his final days. Marion is survived by four daughters; Cheryl Rupert and husband, John, of Greeley, Karen Hoozee and husband, Larry, of Snyder, Dixie Gallucci, of Johnstown, Debbie Campbell and husband, Doug, of Fort Collins; two brothers, Bill Dobson and wife, Dorothy, of Sterling; Erwin Dobson of Colorado Springs; one sister, Arlene Sullivan of Rochester, NY; 8 grandchildren, Jason Rupert of Fort Collins, Kristen Schneider and husband, Troy, of Cope, Justin Hoozee and wife, Michelle, of Stoneham, Laura Ziminsky and husband, Jon, of Loveland, Jamie Rick and husband, Mike, of Johnstown, Jacob Campbell and wife, Candra, of Windsor, Jared Campbell of Fort Collins, Kendra King of Johnstown; 14 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Bette, his parents Lyle and Bertie Dobson, brother DeVere Dobson and sister Vivian Engelker, infant son Kelvin Dobson, and son-in-law, Ray Gallucci.

Marion LeRoy Dobson

January 21, 1927 - November 18, 2023