David Dobbins

© The Bakersfield Californian

29 October 2003

Submitted by: Sandi Carter

July 2, 1931 - October 27, 2003
Services: Thurs., Oct. 30, 10 a.m.

David Dobbins was born in Asher, Oklahoma, to Jim and Idella Dobbins on July 2, 1931. He died on October 27, 2003, due to heart failure following surgery for an aneurysm. His services will be held at the grave site at the Westside Cemetery in Taft at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 30, 2003, with Pastor Bobby Joe Self officiating.

He came to California as a young boy and attended schools in Maricopa, Fellows and graduated from Taft High School in 1950. He served in the U. S. Navy during the Korean War as an aviation mechanic. While attending school in Tennessee, he married his high school sweetheart Doris Vivian Dillingham in Hernando, Mississippi. Together they raised five children.

David was preceded in death by his father and grandparents. He is survived by his mother Idella; his wife of 52 years, Vivian; his sister, Nellie Bazzell; daughters, Dianna Rhoten, Susan Koble and husband, David, Jill Solomona; sons, Charles Dobbins and wife, Susan, Kelly Dobbins and wife, Dionna; nine grandsons; three granddaughters; two great grandsons; and many nieces and nephews.

Before retiring in 1988, Dave worked for Midway School in Fellows. He maintained and drove school buses and in all his 30 years never had so much as a fender bender, nor did any of his buses fail to meet California safety standards. He was one of the first drivers to go through the CHP certification program to train bus drivers. He taught the drivers class for many years at Taft College.

His true love was family. If at all possible, where he went, his children went; whether to the dump, on vacation, or to football games. He was and is well-loved and respected by his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and we will miss him.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Javier Miro, Dr. Sam Singh and all the other doctors and nurses at San Joaquin Hospital ICU unit for their valiant efforts.

Visitation will be at Erickson & Brown Funeral Home in Taft, from 3 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 29, 2003.

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