Lt. Colonel (Ret.) Dorothea "Alice" Courts

Alice was born on October 31, 1938 in Quinton, Oklahoma, to Joe T. Courts and Bobbie Lee (McNairy) Courts. She was predeceased by her parents and her beloved older brother, Dr. Don Courts. She is survived by her sister, Tandy Whitaker of Northern California, and seven nieces and nephews of whom she was very fond.

Alice led an adventurous life. After graduating from Quinton High School and completing two years of State college, she attended St. Anthony’s School of Nursing in Oklahoma City. Upon graduation in 1961, she joined the U.S. Army. The Army sent her to Brooks Army Medical Center in San Antonio for advanced training in anesthesia. She then served her country for many years as a nurse anesthetist, retiring from the Army in 1983. Along the way, she also completed a B.S.R.N. degree at the University of Pennsylvania, and a Master’s Degree in Education from Pepperdine University.

Alice’s first overseas assignment was in Japan, caring for injured soldiers who had been evacuated from Vietnam. Later, she served two tours with MASH units (Mobile Army Surgical Hospitals) in Vietnam. She was the recipient of numerous medals, including a Bronze Star and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm.

Upon retiring from the Army in 1983, Alice returned to the small ranch where she was raised and began a cattle operation. She improved her ranching skills by completing a two-year course in Animal Husbandry and Land Management at Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton.

Alice loved dogs, cats, cattle, horses, classical music, reading, and watching the “Great Courses” on hundreds of subjects. She had a lifelong passion for learning.

After unfortunately developing Alzheimer’s Disease, Alice was lovingly cared for at Iris Memory Care Center in Edmond from 2019 until her death. Donations in her memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Please make out checks to the Alzheimer’s Association, and mail to Dede Diaz, C/O Iris Memory Care, 2424 NW 178th Street, Edmond, OK 73012.

An informal celebration of life will be held at Alice’s ranch on Sunday, November 13, from 1:00-3:00 PM. Friends who would like to attend should contact the family by emailing [email protected].