Orme “Doc” Dockins, the loving and devoted husband of the late Donna Jo Dockins, passed away Saturday, June 10, 2023. Born in Salem, Oregon, he was the son of the late Orme and Mary Langston Dockins.
Following his graduation from the University of Portland, Doc joined the United States Air Force retiring as a Colonel in 1979. He served during the Vietnam War receiving three Distinguished Flying Crosses and two Bronze Stars. Doc was Commander of the 89th Special Air Missions “Sam Fox Squadron” during the Nixon, Ford, and Carter Administrations. He was also honored to be the personal pilot for Henry Kissinger during the Paris Peace Talks. After his retirement from the USAF in 1979, Doc began a very lengthy career with Boeing. He held 10 “Type” ratings and always said that he could fly “anything with wings.” Doc flew from Seattle, WA to Mombasa, Kenya, setting a ‘World’s Longest Commercial Airline Flight’.
Although Doc was a very successful pilot and pilot trainer, most importantly, he was a God fearing family man. His dedication and love for Donna Jo was unwavering throughout their marriage from June 5, 1954 until her death on March 19, 2021. He missed her dearly when she passed.
Doc mentored his grandchildren as well as other children, coaching football, baseball and golf. His ‘Coaching Career’ with the Camp Springs, MD Boys and Girls Club Football team and the Waldorf, MD Wildcats Football team landed him eight championship football teams and two championship baseball teams. After he moved to Myrtle Beach, he continued following football and baseball becoming an avid Coastal Carolina University football and baseball fan where he and his son Dan were season ticket holders. Doc was always sideline “coaching” and his favorite part of the games were enjoying the junk food from the concession stand.
The love of golf brought him to North Myrtle Beach as a “snowbird” with Donna, vacationing and golfing for many years before moving permanently in 2017. Doc shared his love of golf with his grandson, and they spent numerous hours on many courses throughout the area.
Doc watched Gunsmoke almost every day of his life! Many would say that he was obsessed with Gunsmoke. No matter how many times he had seen an episode, you’d find it on the tv! He was so devoted to the show, he watched it on the day he passed.
He and Donna were members of Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church. They made many friends in the area and at the church.
Surviving in are his children, Daniel Dockins (wife, Marie), Dennis Dockins (wife, DeeAnn), Dirk Dockins (wife, Michelle), and Darilyn Dockins. His grandchildren, Donna Dockins, Denise Dockins, Daniel Dockins, Shannon Burch, Shawn Krahling, Drake Dockins, Darth Dockins, Timmy Lawrenson, and Matthew Parr as well as nine great-grandchildren survive him.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital, www.stjude.org or the Salvation Army, https://give.salvationarmyusa.org
A Funeral Mass will be held at noon on Monday, June 26, 2023, at Our Lady Star of the Sea.
Please share memories at www.leefhandcrematory.com
