Lafayet Dozier

Lafayet Thomas (L. T.) Dozier, 93, passed away Wednesday, September 7, 2016.

Funeral services will be held 10 am Saturday, September 10, 2016 in the First Baptist Church of Stinnett with Pastor Orville Rogers officiating. Burial will follow in Stinnett Cemetery under the direction of Minton Chatwell Funeral Directors of Borger. The family will receive friends from 5-7 pm on Friday, September 9, 2016 at the funeral home.

Lafayet Thomas (L. T.) Dozier was born on May 4, 1923 to W.W. and Mary Dozier in King County, Texas. L. T. was raised on an 80 acre cotton farm and graduated from Dumont High School in 1942. In April 1944, L.T. volunteered for the United States Marine Corps and served with the 1st Provisional Rocket Detachment assigned to the 4th Marine Division. He fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima and served in the occupation of China at the end of World War II. He was honorably discharged in July 1946.

After completing his military service, L.T. returned to Dumont where he met Charlene Sursa. The two were married on March 19, 1948. L.T. and Charlene made their first home in a one room dugout on the old home place where L.T. farmed cotton. In 1950, the family moved to a three room house near Chalk where L.T. farmed and Charlene cared for a growing family. In 1956, the family moved to Stinnett where L.T. began working for Phillips Petroleum Company. L. T. worked at the Pantex Garage in Borger for almost 30 years and retired in 1985.

L.T. began life in the shadow of poverty and through hard work, faith in Jesus Christ and the love and support of Charlene, he lived a life of fulfillment and richness. L.T. filled many important roles during his 93 years on earth. He was a born again Christian, a good son, a caring brother, a U. S. Marine, a loving husband, a wonderful father, a trusted friend, a deacon with a servant's heart and a proud Pa Pa. He loved to grow things and could fix anything. L.T. accomplished much in his life and left a legacy of love, faith and family. He is an American hero and will be dearly missed by his family, friends and all who knew him.

L.T. was preceded in death by his parents; daughter Tami; brothers William, Earl, Edgar and Major; and sisters Lorena, Ovie, Audrey, Maudie, Louise and Ruth.

He is survived by his wife, Charlene; children, Garey and wife Terri of Stinnett, Randy and wife Nancy of Odessa, Moe and wife Janet of Waco, Rod and wife Cyndy of Wichita Falls, David and wife Paulette of Panhandle, Monty and wife Mary of Franklin and Dana Cox and husband Kelly of Stillwater, OK; twenty-six grandchildren, forty great grandchildren, four great, great grandchildren; and sister Geneva Cisco of Modesto, CA; brothers Lewis of Ore City and Virgil of Paducah.

Visitation

MintonChatwell Funeral Directors
314 S. Hedgecoke
Borger, TX  79007
Friday, September 9, 2016
5-7 pm

Service

First Baptist Church
200 N. Main
Stinnett, TX  79083
Saturday, September 10, 2016
10:00 am.

Cemetery

Stinnett Cemetery
Box 909
Stinnett, TX  79083