George Dolin

George Albert Edwin Dolin was born March 20, 1924 in Philadelphia, PA and died September 30, 2016 in Shreveport, LA. His parents, John Peter Dolin and Grace Lillian Scrinopskie Dolin preceded him in death. His son, David Brian Dolin also predeceased him.

Growing up in Topeka, KS, George began his lifelong career in sales as an award-winning newspaper boy. A visit that became a move placed his Mom and him and in Los Angeles, CA for his senior year of high school. After graduating in July, 1941 and the Pearl Harbor attack on Dec. 7, 1941, George eagerly joined the USAAF as soon as he turned 18. While stationed at Barksdale Field and working as a pinsetter at the downtown Shreveport bowling alley, he met his future wife, “Katie,” as he called her, when she and a friend stopped by the alley to bowl a game because they never had. Six months later he married Katherine Davis Dolin on June 28, 1945, a marriage of over 71 years.

The term “born salesman” was surely coined for him. Following the war and two years of studying law in Los Angeles, George began his professional life as a salesman for Cudahy Meat Co. After the birth of their daughter, Marcia, George took a transfer and moved his family back to Shreveport. Here he found his niche as a paper salesman of paper goods and janitorial supplies. He worked first for Bancroft Paper Co. as a salesman, then Branch Manager winning the inaugural Shreveport “Salesman of the Year” award in 1960. He was instrumental in helping Huey Horn build his fledgling Dixie Paper Co. into a thriving business and became the sales “legend” there continuing to work taking care of his customers until the day of his fall.

A huge Dallas Cowboys fan, he also pulled for the Rangers and Cubs, and the Red Sox after finally giving up on the Braves. He watched them on TV and read sports magazines cover to cover. His favorite sport was bowling. He and Katie traveled to numerous ABC bowling tournaments and bowled in two leagues a week for many years. George was still bowling weekly in the Tuesday Night All Star League.

After accepting Jesus as his Savior in 1963, he and his family became members of Summer Grove Methodist Church where George served as an usher and on the finance committee. He and Katie were active members of the Ragan-Middleton Sunday School class. During a time of great sorrow over a tragic accident that took the life of their son, the family found comfort from their God and this church family.

Katie survives him, as well as daughter, Marcia Jane Dolin Basinger and husband, Robert Alan Basinger. Two grandsons loved him as their “Pal:” Brian Dolin Basinger and wife, Heather, and Robert Clinton Basinger and wife, Sarah. Granddaughter, Kip Michelle Basinger Lyles, wife of Bobby Lyles loved him as her “Papa.”

Great-grandchildren include Caleb Dolin Basinger, Carson Howard Basinger, Cameron Altom Basinger; Devlin Crane Basinger; and Albany Jane Lyles. He loved them all dearly.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2016 at Centuries Memorial Park at 11:30 a.m. with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. Springs of Grace Baptist Church Associate Pastor, Jeff Segner, will be the officiant. Pallbearers are Brian, Clint, Caleb, Devlin, Carson, and Cameron Basinger, Bobby Lyles, and Jay Nissen.