Dr. Donald Edwin Dobbs

Early in the morning on June 1, 2023, Donald Edwin Dobbs, our family's beloved father, friend, and champion passed away. He brought a brightness and brilliance to every part of our lives. His graciousness knew no bounds; his intellect and wit were without limit. As a family, we are so deeply grateful that God gave him to us to love. Ed was born on May 30, 1942 to Aubrey Dell and Maude Lanier Dobbs in the small town of Quanah, Texas. His mother described him as bright, playful, docile, and sweet: qualities which he would embody throughout his whole life. Ed was the only child of parents and grandparents who were besotted with and devoted to him. He, in turn, was a loyal and loving son. The stories of Ed's childhood were filled with the larger-than-life personalities of his everyday world. People who knew him as an adult would grow to cherish these tales. Ed was a natural born storyteller who could effortlessly enchant people with the narratives of his early life. One of his favorites was of his own Papa. Ed's grandfather would walk to his house on school day mornings to drink coffee with his grandson over breakfast. As his Papa entered the house each morning, he would carefully inspect the kitchen. If he found a "switch" intended for spankings, Papa would break it over his own knee before settling in for a chat. Ed knew that his Papa would do anything for him. Ed's great admiration of his grandfather would shape the Papa that he, himself, would become later in life. Ed was proud to be grandfather of four beautiful girls: Brooklyn, Emma, Kameron, and Jordan. Ed graduated from Raymondville High School in 1959 before attending Baylor University in Waco, TX. He was a Chemistry major with a minor in Mathematics. From college, he moved on to Baylor School of Dentistry to fulfill his childhood dream of becoming a dentist. It was while he was in dental school that he met his future wife, Cheryl Jordan, in Springer, NM during a school holiday. Much of their courtship was long-distance, as the young couple lived 574 miles apart. In his second year of dental school, Ed asked Cheryl to help him close this gap by accepting his proposal of marriage. The two married in Cheryl's hometown, surrounded by friends and family, on August 21, 1965. They were married for 57 years until Ed's passing. Ed enlisted in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and served as captain in the dental corps at Fort Dix, NJ. It was during this period of service that Ed and Cheryl had their first child, Brian, in April of 1969. Ed was delighted to become a father, cherishing the bright playfulness of his son that mirrored his own temperament as a child. Ed endlessly invented games, built forts, and played gentle jokes for Brian to their mutual delight. As Brian grew up, their father-son relationship matured into adulthood as companions, confidants, and hunting buddies. From his son's first breath to his own last, Ed was Brian's hero. Ed and Cheryl moved back to Texas in 1969 so that Ed could begin his dental practice at the newly opened Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas. He worked tirelessly to get his practice off the ground. Year by year, the practice flourished. He was a highly person-centered dentist, creating a sense of calm and assurance for all his patients. Both his patients and staff adored him for his even-temperedness, humor, and kindness. Ed used his passion for dentistry to serve all over the world, from Nuevo Laredo, Mexico to St. Petersburg, Russia. Much of his philanthropic work was in orphanages outside of the United States. Despite language and cultural barriers, Ed's kindness and reassuring presence soothed adults and children alike, giving a natural ease to their experience. In December of 1973, Ed and Cheryl would have their second child, Katie. Ed's disbelief at having a little girl was so great that he met the doctor's proclamation, "It's a girl!" with the shocked reply, "Are you sure?" He had so badly wanted his second child to be a girl. Ed was the perfect father for a daughter. He taught her how to whistle, play cards, and untangle algebra equations. He bought Katie her first party dress, helped her pick out her first pair of heels, and taught her to drive. He tucked her in every night and told her bedtime stories he crafted just for her. From his daughter's first breath to his own last, Ed was Katie's northstar. Ed and Cheryl continued to build their lives together over the years. They loved adventures, from traveling abroad to exploring their own city. They read together, cooked together, gardened together, and made friends together. They raised a family and had grandchildren together. They loved each other deeply. From the first breath of their vows to his own last breath, Ed was Cheryl's sweetheart. Ed's greatest legacy was his faith and witness to the people around him. A deeply prayerful man, Ed gently modeled the love so beautifully described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. He was endlessly patient and kind, without envy or boastfulness. He wasn't prone to pridefulness nor would he ever bring dishonor to others. As a selfless man, he was rarely angry and kept no records of the wrongs of others. He didn't delight in the ugly or painful side of life but rejoiced in truth. He always protected. He always trusted. He always hoped. He always persevered. In the eyes of those who knew and loved him best, he never failed. From his very first breath to all eternity, Ed will forever be God's beloved child. We will love and miss him always.

Dr. Donald Edwin Dobbs

May 30, 1942 - June 1, 2023