Dr. John Henry Dorminy, III passed away peacefully March 8, 2016, in his home in Fitzgerald where he lived with his wife of 18 years, Katarina.
Memorial Services will be held at 11 AM, Friday, March 11, 2016 at The First Baptist Church of Fitzgerald, with the Rev. Blane Jacobs officiating. The Honorable Robert W. "Bobby" Chasteen as well as Dr. Dorminy's children will give eulogies. The family will receive friends from 6-8 Thursday evening, March 10, 2016 in the chapel of The Paulk Funeral Home.
He was born in Atlanta, July 13, 1944 to Mrs. Elene D. Dorminy and John H. Dorminy, Jr. After attending Fitzgerald High School and the McCallie School in Chattanooga, TN, he graduated from Emory University in 1966. He then served 4 years in the Air Force stationed at F E Warren AFB, Cheyenne, Wyoming. Thereafter, he graduated from Duke University Medical School where he also completed his residency in OB/GYN in 1978.
Dr. Dorminy was invited by his high school hero, Dr. Sammie Dixon, to join his OB/GYN practice in Tifton, Georgia in 1978. They formed a perfect partnership for 25 years on just a handshake. They also jointly founded the Tift General Hospital Foundation in 1981. Dr. Dorminy worked tirelessly delivering babies and taking care of his beloved patients until his retirement Dec 31, 2015. He wrote in 2012, “I shared many hours with my laboring patients and shared with them the joy of adding a new life to a family. I truly loved my patients and their children.”
In addition to his work, he spent many years engaged in philanthropic endeavors, including serving as Chairman of both the Tift Regional Medical Center Foundation and the John Henry Dorminy Foundation. He also established many scholarships at Duke, ABAC, University of Georgia, as well as many other colleges throughout Georgia. He was especially fond of helping nursing and medical students.
Dr. Dorminy enjoyed hunting ducks, dove, and quail with his friends and family. He and his best friend Butch Houston co-owned a National Champion setter, Shadow Oak Bo. Dr. Dorminy was an especially avid horse breeder which he and Katarina spent many years raising and training. His favorite horses were Shinin' Joe and whichever horse Katarina was riding. Dr. Dorminy loved to see things grow and continued farming and farming relationships throughout his life. Sailboat racing and driving Porsches were 2 more of his favorite hobbies. He enjoyed spending time and traveling with his 3 children, 12 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his oldest son John IV and his wife Ann of McDonough, GA and their 6 children Billy, Danny, Tommy, Susie, Becky, and Johnny, and his granddaughter in law Gina and great-granddaughter Kale; his daughter Lindy and her husband Dustin Bengston of Tifton, and their 3 children Beau, JD, and Leighellyn; his youngest son Charles and his wife Caroline of Saint Simons Island, and their 3 children Maggie, Jack, and Henry. He is also survived by his former wife and mother of his children Alice S. Dorminy, his sister Martha Ann Gardner of Santa Fe, New Mexico and brother Jim Dorminy of Chula.
He wrote in 2014:
I lived life filled with love
For my Family
For my God and Country
For my patients and friends
But most of all for my Katarina.
The family suggests those desiring to send memorials may send them to Tift Regional Medical Center Foundation, P. O. Box 747, Tifton, Georgia 31793