Donald Wayne Dortch, age 89, of Clio, Michigan

He fought a good fight, finished the race and kept the faith. Don was born January 7, 1933 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri to Samuel Bliss Dortch and Nellie Reeves Dortch. He was raised with his twin brother and 2 sisters in Fisk, Missouri by is mom and step father Leon Gray (Poppa). He is preceded in death by his twin brother Jim Dortch and sisters Bettye McKinnon, Kittye Way and great grandson Connor Edward Dickson. He is survived by his wife, Wilma Lorene (Shular) Dortch, his children, Deborah (Paul) Melcher, Terry (Lynn) Dortch, Donald Tracy Dortch. He was blessed with 6 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

He graduated from Fisk High School in 1951 and was involved in basketball, softball, baseball, volleyball, 4-H club, journalism, band, mixed chorus and high school quartet. He moved to Pontiac, Michigan in 1952, married his high school sweetheart, Wilma Lorene Shular who was raised in Bernie, Missouri. On January 19, 2022 they celebrated together their 70th wedding anniversary.

He worked at GM Truck and Coach, Noble Johnson Trucking and finally retired from GM Proving Grounds, Hydramatic division in 1988.

In 1959 he was charter member of the Liberty General Baptist Church in Auburn Hills, Michigan where he served in many ministries including Deaconship. When he retired he moved to Wappapello, Missouri. He attended and served at the Puxico General Baptist Church as a deacon from 1994 to 2012, there he became deacon emeritus. Moved back to Michigan in 2007 to be with family and has been faithfully attending Friendship Freewill Baptist Church in Davison, Michigan. Gospel music has been his passion and his ministry. His deep rich bass voice complimented many choirs and quartets including Liberty Aires Quartet and The Galileans.

Don and Lorene have enjoyed many travels with their best friends Samuel and Mattie Bland.

In Lieu of flowers, please consider donations made to:

Alzheimers Association

Greater Michigan Chapter

1125 S Linden Rd

Flint, MI 48532

Compassus Hospice

5445 Ali Dr

Grand Blanc, MI 48439