Jared Christopher Dotson, 28, of Corpus Christi was a profoundly gifted artist and tattooer who returned to our Lord Saturday morning, March 19, in Corpus Christi after courageously facing emotional struggles.

Service will be at 11 a.m. April 2 at Heritage Memorial Funeral Home, 5026 Old Brownsville Road in
Corpus Christi, followed by a celebration of life at the Big Red Barn, 2531 County Road 61, in Robstown.

He will forever remain in the hearts of his mother, Laura Ibañez Villarreal, and his father Earl Dotson, both of Corpus Christi, and his stepfather Robert Villarreal of Corpus Christi and stepmother Janell Dotson of Longview.

He is also survived by his brother Austin Christopher Dotson, 22, and sister Ashley, 30, both of Longview, and his sisters Erica and Ileana Villarreal, both 22, of Corpus Christi.

Jared was baptized in St. Anthony Padua Catholic Church in Robstown.

He was a tattoo artist at Black Point Tattoo, where he comfortably explored his quiet social side and let greens, yellows and a bright pink express what his voice wouldn't.

Jared knew he was in the right place when he walked in the shop in 2017 and saw his future mentor, Joseph Bowen, watching Django Unchained.

"A lot of other tattoo artists that I've mentored didn't really have his noticeable style," he said "He always wanted to figure it out and get better and I didn't really get that from a lot other people. They weren't as hungry as Jared."

He had recently returned from the Star of Texas Tattoo Art Revival in Austin enthusiastic to push forward his career and art.

Jared was proud to represent his culture in an industry with few Black tattoo artists, like one of his favorites, Henry Lewis, and offer comfort and understanding to Black clients.

"He was really happy to see an artist of [Lewis's] caliber represented," Bowen said. "I could see when we had Black clientele come into the shop they would be surprised that we had a Black artist. You could see they put their guard down. And Jared picked up on that."

From Prince, Outkast, Bootsy Collins and the Isleys Brothers to Mac Miller and Flying Lotus, music defined Jared as much as visual artists like Mike "Rollo" Malone, one of his favorite tattoo artists.

Gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson's boldness inspired Jared to push boundaries and explore the world around him, learning all he could.

He committed endless hours to restoring multiple stunt bikes, likely while wearing Dickies and Chuck Taylor's.

Working out, lifting weights and mixing protein shakes provided Jared structure, giving him discipline and pride, but he balanced fitness with his favorite Domino's pepperoni thin crust and cheese bread and coffees from Dunkin' and Shipley's.

He relaxed at night and day's off playing Call of Duty, Smash Bros., Tekken and Grand Theft Auto on Xbox, but he seldom won against his dad playing John Madden Football.

He kept his dad's Marvel and other comic books pristine, just like his own vinyl records and Homies figurines collection.

Jared kept mostly quiet and to himself, but loved and nurtured in his own soft way, though as a child he kept loved ones on their toes, sneaking out a mini motorcycle, hiding cookies he baked and burned and helping himself to school supplies.

Most nights the ninja drifted downstairs after midnight and before dawn to fix a carne guisada plate or bowl of chili, or sit on the back porch by the lake.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather Jesus Ibañez of Robstown and paternal grandmother Geneva Dotson and grandfather Earl Dotson Jr. of Beaumont.

He is survived by his maternal grandmother Maria Luisa Ibañez of Robstown and paternal great aunt Elaine "Nanny" Semere of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana.

Survivors also include maternal aunts Elisa Padilla (Alvino), Elsa Owens (Tony), Elvia Ibañez, Vanessa Limon (Javier); maternal uncles Daniel (Melissa), Gilbert and Miguel (Melissa) Ibañez; paternal aunt Doddie Dotson and cousins Jordan Savoy, 25, and Bailee Brown, 10, uncle Johnny [last name] and many other loved ones, including Marina Trahan Martinez, Virginia Maddox, Gloria Branstrom, Samantha Olog, Davis Eiermann, Rex Ramirez, George Villela, Terry Amey, Ashten and Brandi Wagenschein and many Dotson family members in Louisiana and throughout Texas.

Pallbearers will be Reasley "Boo-bee" Landry Jr., Jordan Savoy, Joseph Bowen, Marc Villareal, Jose Grimaldo, Dre Salaiz and honorary pallbearers Trey Padilla, Austin Dotson, Kenny Ray Dotson, Wilson Dotson, Jonathan Cantu and Lindsey Wolff.