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George William Dorman

Posted 2008-10-07 by Judy Wight Branson
Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona
Friday, October 3, 2008

George W. Dorman M.D.
Dr. Dorman “He Counted”

George W. Dorman M.D., 85, passed peacefully into God’s loving hands Oct. 1, 2008.

Dr. Dorman considered himself to be the luckiest man on earth. He bel ieved that he was the recipient of numerous opportunities and God-given gifts. His frequently spoken motto was “Make yourself count!”

Dr. Dorman received his M.D. from Southwestern Medical College in Dallas, Texas. He proudly served in the United States Navy from 1942 to 1955, during World War II and beyond. His path to pediatric surgery was set during his residence in 1949 under the mentor-ship of C. Everett Koop M.D. (Surgeon General) while at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Dr. Dorman was Chief of Surgical Services at Children’s Medical Center of Dallas from 1966-1970. He was the first pediatric surgeon in Dallas. From 1970 to his retirement in 1986, he and his associate pediatric surgeons were on the active staff of Phoenix Children’s Hospital as well as having privileges at all major hospitals in Phoenix. His credentials and professional organizations were numerous. He tried to meet yearly with his 1945 Southwestern classmates and the prestigious Lilliputian Pediatric Surgical Society. He was a man of many talents. Since pediatric surgery was a fairly new specialty in his day, he created many of his own surgical instruments in his shop at home.

Dr. Dorman was an avid fly fisherman, a skier and pilot. He played the piano by ear, creating beautiful music, sometimes for hours. He cried when he could no longer “hear” the music. This kindly gentleman was as comfortable with a blue-collar worker as he was with a renowned intellectual.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Johnny (Yvonne); his loving daughters, Debra (Bill) Peterson and Dana Smith; stepdaughter Christine Trice; stepson David Hurst; four grandchildren and two delightful great-grandchildren.

Dr. Dorman’s wishes, being mindful of Prescott’s status as Arizona’s Christmas City, would be that memorials in his name be given to the Salvation Army Christmas Angel Tree, 237 S. Montezuma, Prescott, AZ 86303, or to the American Legion Auxiliary Christmas Gift Shop, Bob Stump Veteran Affairs Medical Center, care of Sally Fine, 500 Highway 89, Prescott, AZ 86313, so that children of veterans who otherwise might not be able to will experience the joys of Christmas.

Friends and neighbors are welcome to join the family at the Dorman home on Saturday, Oct. 4, for a casual reception from 4 to 6 p.m.

Information provided by survivors.




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