Mike Dobson (Seymour)'s Obituary
Michael James ‘Mike’ Dobson was born July 22, 1968, in Mountain Grove, Missouri, and at the spirited age of fifty-two, he left us much too soon on April 2, 2021, while surrounded by family in Cox South Hospital in Springfield, Missouri. Mike was one of five children born to Clarence Melvin ‘Sonny’ and Ruby Jean (McDaris) Dobson. He was raised in Mountain Grove and was a graduate of the Mountain Grove High School Class of 1986.
After high school he worked at H.D. Lee and Hutchens Industries until attending Vatterott College to learn the trade of heating and air. Mike went on to start his own business, Dobson’s Heating and Air, in 2005, and had worked the last 16 years with his eldest son Sam Dobson.
Mike loved life and lived every minute of his to its fullest. He was a man of nature and loved fishing and hunting, kayaking and floating. He looked forward to morel season every spring. He loved to barbeque and entertain family and friends. Laughter, good times, and fun memories were always made in his presence.
Mike and Cindy Lou Cummins were married September 12, 2019, after nearly nineteen years as a couple and being role models for their blended family.
Mike leaves behind his wife Cindy Dobson of the home; his children, Sam Dobson and wife Jacklynn, Blake Dobson, and Scarlett Dobson, and their mother Tammy Cash; grandson Dale E. Cummins; his mother Ruby McDaris; two sisters, Angela Michael and husband Kevin, and Reba Fox and husband Fred, and two brothers, Mark Dobson, and Dean McCall and wife Danna; nieces, Madi Ashburn and husband Tyler, Grace McCall, Jade Dobson, and Rebecca Dobson, nephews, Luke Michael, and Jace Cornelison; great-niece Rylin, and great-nephew Aiden; four aunts, Jan Shera and husband Pres, Nina Robertson, Doris McCune and husband Frankie, and Delores Shelton and husband Rick; and countless friends and neighbors, as Mike never met a stranger.
Mike was preceded in death by his grandparents, Gene and Vera McDaris, Gracie and Doyne Hicks, and Melvin and Venita Dobson; his father Sonny Dobson, father-in-law Bill Cornelison, and his two bonus sons, Steven D. Cummins, and Michael W. Cummins.
The loss our family is grappling with is immeasurable. Our hearts are broken. My oldest brother, Mike, or Michael James, as my mother affectionately called him, was welcomed into the arms of his creator. I have no doubt many others we love and miss very much were there anxious to greet him.
During my teen years, I struggled with where I found myself in life. My mom was my rock and did an outstanding job. As a young man, I needed an older brother's influence, and indeed my brother Mike was there to stand in the gap. He stood by my side when I killed my first deer. He took me floating on the river and showed me how to use a chainsaw to cut firewood. He enjoyed and respected God's creation. He also gave me some life lessons on girls at a critical age. Perhaps a scary thought for my mom. I also bore witness to his kindness, gentleness, and mercy that he showed for others. He was a man of integrity, respect, and care for those in less fortunate circumstances.
Mike was not just a brother; he was a son, father, uncle, grandpa, and most importantly, the last several years, companion and husband to our dear Cindy. Throughout unimaginable tragedies, Mike stood by her side like the rock he had been for many others throughout his life. His gentleness, love, and mercy proved profound in the darkest of moments. He was a testament to me of the role a husband should play in those moments.
Now, as we try to come up for air under the crushing weight of his passing, we can reflect on a legacy he has left behind. One he did quietly, without the desire for accolades. Memories of his humor, orneriness, integrity, mercy, and gentleness will live on not only in our memories but in the countless people he impacted that we do not even know.
A few months ago, my siblings and I had an opportunity to recreate a family photo. Little did we know it would be the last we would take together. This memory will forever be a treasure.
Visitation for Mike is Monday evening, April 5, 2021, from 6 PM - 8 PM, at Holman-Howe Funeral Home in HARTVILLE, Missouri.
Graveside service and burial is Tuesday, April 6, 2021, at 1 PM, at Stubbs Cemetery west of Mountain Grove, Missouri.
Memorials may be made to The Steven Cummins Memorial Scholarship Fund and may be left at the funeral home(s).
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