Zada Jean Dotson

Zada Jean (Morley) Dotson was born November 25, 1943 to Lavar “Dutch” Morley and Illa Jean (Merriam) Morley in Manti, Sanpete, Utah.  She was the oldest of three children. Her siblings are Pam Gonzales and Dave Morley.  Zada grew up in Moroni, Utah, Meeker, Colorado and Dragerton (East Carbon City), Utah.  She graduated from East Carbon High School.  She attended beauty school in Salt Lake City, where she met James (Jim) Dotson while roller skating.  They were married March 16, 1963 in the Manti LDS temple.  She is the mother of Natalie Kay Shepherd (Dennis), James J. Dotson Jr. (Carrie), Sherry Morrill, Donna Potter (Bryan).  She raised her kids in Kaysville, Utah, Cheyenne, Wyoming, Grand Forks, North Dakota, and Great Falls, Montana.

She was a beautician for most of her life working from home and other salons.  From the example of her hard-working parents she learned hard work, compassion and friendship.  She loved getting involved in others' lives, offering a listening ear to their concerns and giving them service.  Zada was a wonderful wife and mother. She effortlessly nurtured, enlightened by example and loved unconditionally. She felt a little picked on growing up and made up her mind that no one should feel that way.  We all thought we were her favorite until the grandkids showed up.  The highlight of her life was her family, if you were her friend, you were her family. 

With career assignments taking her family to different states, she quickly made each house the family home.   When you entered her home, you felt comfortable and welcome.  She loved to do laundry (she had the whitest whites), dusting and vacuuming. She invented the game “pick up campaign”.  She loved to garden as long as it had a flower.  She loved her pioneer heritage and was a long-time member of Daughters of the Utah Pioneers.  She loved to play physically; elbow fights, leg wrestles and jump scares.  She was passionate about the Utah Jazz.  She loved her neighbors and they loved her because she was spicy, real and compassionate.  She had strong LDS standards and treated everyone as a child of God. She loved you unconditionally. She supported her husband and his passions.  She loved to go camping, enjoying her trailer and four wheeling friends.  She tolerated many miles on the back of a 4-wheeler all for the benefit of the sights and wildlife. 

She never liked the limelight, but had every characteristic to lead, teach and do.  She would lift others and direct recognition towards them. She was the solid foundation of her family.  Her passing leaves her husband, Jim, Daughters: Natalie(Dennis), Sherry, Donna(Bryan) and son Jim Jr.(Carrie). Grandkids: Lindsee, Sabrina, Chase, Jimmy, Cheylie, Benton, Jake, Maryn, Cambree, Chet, Maloree, McCall, Maisey, Matt, and Dutch, 25 great grandkids with two more coming early 2024, with sadness but a sure knowledge that Families are Forever, She joins her parents, brother, grandkids: Meagan Morrill, Mason Morrill and Jake Shepherd. 

Funeral services will be held Friday December 29. 2023 at 11:00 am held at LDS Gailey Park Ward Chapel 331 S. 50 W. Kaysville, Utah. With a viewing prior from 9:30 -10:30. A viewing will also be held the night prior, Thursday December 28, 2023, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 1941 N. Main St. Farmington, Utah. For those unavailable to attend you may view services live on the Russon Mortuary & Crematory Facebook page or on Zada’s obituary page at russonmortuary.com by scrolling to the bottom of Zada's obituary.