Former delegate Michael V. Dobson dies
Represented Baltimore from 1998 to 2003

By Laura Vozzella, The Baltimore Sun

6:43 PM EDT, May 29, 2010

Michael V. Dobson, a former state delegate and son of a well-known city minister, died early Saturday after a five-year battle with lung cancer. He was 60 years old.

Mr. Dobson represented most of North Baltimore in the General Assembly as a delegate from the 43rd District from 1998 to 2003.

He first came to the seat as an appointee, selected by the 43rd Legislative District Democratic State Central Committee to fill the seat vacated by Del. Gerald J. Curran, who'd resigned during an ethics investigation into his business dealings.

A year later, Mr. Dobson stood for election and won. He lost a re-election bid four years later.

Mr. Dobson was the son of the Rev. Vernon Dobson, the longtime pastor of Union Baptist Church in West Baltimore and a former president of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance. The Rev. Mr. Dobson, now 87, is retired.

Michael Dobson was inspired by his father's civil rights and ministerial work to seek public office, said his brother, Keith Dobson of Owings Mills. Before serving in the House, he ran unsuccessfully for Congress and City Council.

"He comes out of a family of ministers — grandfather, father, uncle," Keith Dobson said. "Daddy was tremendous in civil rights. Because of that, Mike wanted to do good things for the citizens of the state and continue to carry the baton."

While in the House, Mr. Dobson served as deputy majority whip and was a member of the Commerce and Government Matters Committee and the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus.

"It was the highlight of his life," Keith Dobson said. "It was something he had always dreamed of."

One of eight children raised by the Rev. Vernon Dobson and Napoleon (Pleasants) Dobson in Ashburton, Mr. Dobson attended city public schools. He graduated from Forest Park High School in 1968, attended Morgan State University and worked as a senior bankruptcy analyst for American Credit Indemnity. He also served as a deacon at Union Baptist Church.

Mr. Dobson married the former Elaine Thompson in 1982. He is survived by his wife and three children: Michael Jr., Isaac and Marnie. Along with his brother Keith and his parents, Mr. Dobson is survived by two other brothers, Kevin Dobson of Dover, Del., and John Etta Coles of Randallstown, and four sisters, Rosalind Dobson of Baltimore, Sandra Dobson of Baltimore, Kim Sydnor of Woodlawn and Donna Dobson of Windsor Mill.

Funeral service arrangements were incomplete.

laura.vozzella@baltsun.com

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