Richard Henry Dortch, Jr. was born in 1938, to the union of Hardelia Gause and Richard Henry Lee Dortch, in Hughes, Arkansas, he was the fourth child and the second son born to this union, son of a sharecropper.
Richard had a total of 17 brothers and sisters. He attended Widener Elementary School, and as a young boy, was the protective brother for his siblings and cousins. Richard loved his family!
At the age of 16, Richard met Fannie Mae Allen, also from a large family of 8 girls and 4 boys. His paternal grandmother (aka Big Mama), known for matchmaking told him that Fannie Allen was the only girl for him.
Richard and Fannie married in 1958; and to that union were born 4 children; two girls and two boys just as he prayed for.
Richard worked as a construction engineer operating a variety of heavy equipment machines, as a member of the Midwest Operating Engineers Union for many decades. During the harsh winters, Richard supplemented the family income by driving a taxicab, plowing snow on highways and airports. He and other family members started Dortch’s Soul Food Restaurant perfecting the BBQ skills he learned from his Father. Richard always found time to be there for his children as a baseball coach for summer leagues. He often took his family on summer vacations, hunted rabbit and squirrel; and started the Dortch Family Reunion with his cousins back in 1981, which recently celebrated 41 years of annual reunions even during Covid via zoom.
Richard had a work ethic that was second to none. He was THE pillar in his very huge family, at work, wherever he lived. If you needed money, home repairs, or your car fixed, he found a way to help. When neighbor or family kids ran away from home they’d stay at his family’s house, till uncle or Mr. Dortch helped them to see their parent’s way was the best way.
He and his wife began years of advanced bible study; travelled to several bible lands and in 2001, became baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Immediately upon retirement, he became a full-time pioneer, served as ministerial servant and later an elder in his local congregation. Richard had a mission to help people come to know Jehovah God as our Grand Creator and his Son Jesus Christ -- and that God’s Kingdom is the only solution for all mankind’s problems.
“Papa” as his grandchildren and great grandchildren called him, was also known for his finger licking barbeque, playing Bid Whist, or shooting a cool game of pool. His favorite music and dance move was to James Brown’s “Papa Don’t Take No Mess”.
Richard, our dear “Papa” fell asleep in death on July 30, 2022. He now awaits the voice of our Lord Jesus Christ to call his name to stand up in the Grand Resurrection, the ultimate family reunion. He will be dearly and truly missed.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.9.5