Dobby Day, A Better Fest for Terry Dobson, Jr. set for April 1

Event features Texas Music lineup, motorcycle ride, poker tourney, meal and more

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By AMANDA KIMBLE
TheFlashToday.com

STEPHENVILLE (March 21, 2017) – For more than a year, a local family has been battling a cancer diagnosis. Now, friends, family and fellow community members are going all in for Terry Dobson, Jr., whose fight against colon cancer began in November 2015.

Dobby Day, A Better Fest for Terry Dobson, Jr., is set for Saturday, April 1, promising a full day of entertainment at Legends Country Club in Stephenville. The event includes a motorcycle run, poker tournament, golfing, a long lineup of Texas Music artists, a silent auction, food, a bounce house for children and more.

Despite ongoing treatment and pain, Tonya Dobson said her husband maintains a positive outlook and the road to – and from – treatment has been paved with numerous blessings.

Terry works for Tejas Tubular, stationed in the Houston office, but the privately-owned company that supplies pipe, tubing and casing for oil and gas industry has allowed him to work remotely and avoid traveling.

“Tejas Tubular has been very supportive,” Tonya said.

Terry is currently undergoing treatment at Texas Oncology and is also receiving care from University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Tonya said the round of chemotherapy that immediately followed diagnosis was unsuccessful in combating the colon cancer, but the family received some good news this month.

“The chemo treatment he is currently receiving is shrinking the (multiple) tumors,” Tonya said.

The couple and their two children, Tristan, 22, and Tatum, 16, have also learned of immunotherapy that the FDA has approved for the treatment of several cancers.

“It has not yet been approved for colon cancer,” Tonya said, adding once it’s approved insurance providers will pay for the treatment.

Tonya, who works at the Dick Smith Library at Tarleton State University, said her employer has helped make the journey easier on the family.

“I have an understanding boss who works with my schedule so that I can be at treatments and appointments as much as possible,” Tonya said. “We also have a huge group of family and friends, Terry’s mom and stepdad and four or five really close friends who have really stepped up to the plate and are there when I can’t be.”

Getting by with a little help from friends is exactly what Dobby Day is all about. Tonya said shortly after Terry was diagnosed, Amber Parks, owner of Parks Hill Technology and Marketing and fellow music lover who the couple met following Larry Joe Taylor’s various music festivals, offered to help.

At the same time, Tonya’s sister, Terri White; a close friend and avid poker player Kyle Roberts; and Terry’s stepsister Sara Neagle, a motorcycle enthusiast, also offered to bring together like-minded individuals to help during the battle.

Tonya said the shared love for Terry and the various hobbies of those closest to them quickly gave rise to Dobby Day. She also said the name of the event pays homage to Terry’s bond with his grandfather – the duo was known as Dobby and little Dobby.

In the beginning, Tonya was admittedly resistant to the idea, believing the family could fight the battle on their own, but as days and months passed, she realized it takes a village to win a war – and the Dobsons have a large army at their sides.

“It is almost overwhelming, seeing how many people really care and want to help,” Tonya said.

More About Dobby Day

Whether you get your kicks on the back of a bike, consider yourself a card shark, are a music lover or prefer to tee up for a good cause, Dobby Day offers everything a community needs to find the fun in fundraising.

The motorcycle ride kicks off festivities at 9 a.m. and offers two routes, including a shorter drive to the Horny Toad in Cranfills Gap for supporters who want to return to Stephenville for the full slate of entertainment. A longer ride, organized for motorcycle enthusiasts who prefer the open road, takes riders through the Glen Rose area includes a stop at Blackie’s Bait Shop in Walnut Springs.

Ride registration, which can be completed at the event, is $25 per motorcycle and $15 for each passenger, with a meal at Legends’s Country Club included with the fee. For more information, call 254-485-5746.

Amber Parks said Amanda Akins Photos will be along for the ride and snapping photos along the way, and motorcycle ride participants will have the option to purchase photos at Legends County Club, with on-site printing by Parks Hill Technology & Marketing. 

The 100-man poker tournament begins will registration and 1 p.m. and the game starts at 2 p.m. Buy in is $50 per player, with a secondary $50 re-buy option.

Poker tournament participants can preregister online or in person at the event, but Parks said seats are limited to 100.

She also said the 10th seat at the final table be awarded to the high bidder at a live auction that will be held during the poker tournament. For more information on the poker tournament, call 254-592-3237.

Meanwhile, Parks said the Dobby Day silent auction will offer bidders their choice of an array of donated items including trips, gift certificates, handmade creations and more.

Individuals or business that would like to donate to the silent auction can take items to Quality Printing, located at 460 North Graham Street in Stephenville or contact Terri White at 254-967-1970.

The music lineup starts with special guest at 11:30 a.m., followed by a longlist of Texas talents, including Larry Joe Taylor who will take the stage with a full band around 1 p.m. Other artists expected to perform include Courtney Patton, Clayton Landau, Jon Young, Matt Wayne, Mike Stanley, Koe Wetzel, Kensie Coppin, Calamity Janes, Kerri Lick, Rob Redwine and many more. 

“We hope after all of the sets have been played, everyone will stick around for a picking party,” Parks said, adding that musical entertainment is being provided to guests at no cost.

Legends will be open to golfers throughout the day, with a portion of the green fees being donated to Dobby Day.

Official Dobby Day t-shirts can be preordered online and picked up at the festival, sent to supporters by mail or delivered within the local area. For more information on t-shirt orders, call 254-592-9083. 

“We hope everyone will come out and support the Dobson family with a full day of fun at Dobby Day, A Better Fest,” Parks said.


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