Who is
Dewey Dossett
Robert Dewey Dossett, Sr. was born on May 17, 1944, to Lola Ida Iola Ridgeway and Houston Taylor Dossett in Marshall, Texas. He was one of a kind with many talents. He was a beautician, a blacksmith, an avid lover of horses, a rancher, a Ferrier, a Christian, a REAL COWBOY. Dewey graduated cosmetology school in 1962 and later opened “Dewey’s-House of Coiffures” which started out on E. Alamo but ended up on Popular at the shop that was built by he and family members. He and his first wife, Sylvia, along with his sisters, Joyce and Dot and niece, Debbie worked side by side for many years. During his time as a beauty operator, he attended Kilgore College where he graduated from horseshoeing school in 1973 along with his classmate Gerald Smith, and they were great friends.
He took much pride in his children, grandchildren, horses and his beloved barn. He loved to entertain at his barn with friends singing karaoke, having birthday parties, celebrations and on occasion a friendly poker game. He was involved in the Rebel Riders Drill Team for many years and enjoyed coaching many young people as well as more mature to ride and perform. He was also part of The Silver Spurs and enjoyed performing and showing off his riding skills. He had a true love for his horses, loved working his cows, cutting his hay and loved his dogs, Heidi and Marshall, who were in attendance at all events. He also had a knack for wood working and building beautiful furniture, whiskey towers and other hand-crafted unique items. He was a handy man and could fix anything from a broken toy to a leaking faucet to a broken heart. He was always there to counsel his family and friends.
Dewey, from the early 70’s worked at Rosborough Springs assisting with horses, cows, and day to day ranch work and was employed by Smith Steel Casting Company as a salesman until its closure in 2001. He served as Marshall Elks Past Exalted Ruler from 1971-1972. He was initiated in 1964 to the Order and became a Life Status Member in 2007.
He loved to dance and was always the best dancer in the room and if you were lucky enough to dance with him, you were also the best dancer in the room. He loved life, he loved his family, his friends and loved making memories with them all. His energy, enthusiasm, infectious smile and hugs were filled with love for everyone. He had a way that made you feel you were the most special person on Earth. He could light up a room like no other, he was always the life of the party and had more energy then all the family and friends that surrounded him. He never met a stranger and always included everyone. Pappaw always had a mischievous grin and nickname for everyone. He passed along his baby blue eyes and dimples to his grandchildren. He gave the best hugs and kisses!
Although we miss him dearly, we are happy to honor his legacy with this arena.
We love you Dewey.
Thank you for loving us.
Dewey Stories & Memories:
“I used to stop by to talk to Dewey from time to time. We would sit at his kitchen table or walk around the barn and catch up. We would tell stories and walk down memory lane. So I stopped by Woodlawn Arena to talk with Dewey today to catch up and walk down memory lane. I miss spending time with him. So I sat in the middle of the arena and spent time with him. I kept expecting to see him walk out of the house or the barn. But instead, I saw him everywhere. I saw him working a colt in the roundpen. I saw him giving horsemanship lessons to a young rider in the circle on the hill. I saw him in the announcers stand for the sorting. I saw him in the arena during a water balloon fight. I saw him in every single Rebel Rider and Silver Spur moment. I saw him in the way I care for my horses now. I saw him in how he changed us all for the better. I saw him smiling and telling us all, “love you, sugar.” Dewey really was the best of us. I’m so thankful to have known and loved him. Can’t wait to see all the new memories that will be made here in his legacy. Thanks for hanging out with me today, Dewey.”
Sam Parrish Ware
“Let's go really back to when I was 4-H leader here for a horsemanship group even before the drill teams arrived. We did trail riding, 4-H shows, and horse judging. But we had no place to hold our own shows.
Dad had just designated lots for sale in the surrounding area, but I begged him for the lot in the corner to build an arena for my 4-H kids. Dad designated it and the parents of the 4-H kids all helped and we raised money through bake sales, donations, and every means possible to build a little arena. From then on we had a place for all sorts of events that grew and got better. We were able to add bleachers and lights but then I went off to SFA to finish my schooling and college. Dad had made me promise that the arena reverted to his ownership if no events were held there for 2 years, and when no one else took my place that actually happened.
Dewey Dossett came to me when I was visiting and told me that dad was selling him the arena but that he would keep it as a resource for the community and 4-H and community groups would be welcome there for no charge. It was the best of both worlds. Dad got the money for the lot but Woodlawn got to keep its arena but Dewey only made it better with bigger lights, better bleachers, roping chutes and more parking area, plus a good perimeter fence. Later he added fence for cattle work. Always had a place to hold our Indian Horse Shows, and the community had a place for 4-H and drill team practice. Many of us have used the arena for horse shows and other events.
The community has always valued the little arena and all the fun we've had there and here's hoping it always will.”
Vicki Ives
Memories and Stories Gallery
