Richard "Dickie" Dortch ~ Obituary

Dickie Dortch

Paris native and former Memphis resident Richard Dortch, 64, died May 31, 2013.

A reception and video memorial service was conducted June 5 at the Governor’s Club in Chapel Hill, N.C. His cremains were to be scattered near Neyland Stadium in Knoxville.

He was a son of the late Robert Fulton Dortch Jr. and Jozelle Robbins Dortch.

A Grove High School graduate, he held a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Tennessee and a master’s degree in computer science from the University of Memphis. He worked in information technology throughout his career and was president of Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity at UT.

A family member said he was a natural athlete. He played Little League baseball, Biddy basketball, youth tennis and high school football and basketball. As an adult he played racquetball and golf and coached basketball, football and soccer for his children’s teams. The family member said he enjoyed family beach vacations, golf outings, preparing his “legendary” ribs and watching his “beloved” Vols.

He leaves two children: Richard (Shannon) Dortch of Nashville and Sally Dortch (Jimmy) Cotty of Roswell, Ga.; a sister: Rose Dortch Benson of Chapel Hill; six grandchildren: Samuel, Noah and Charlie Dortch and Kenston, Olivia and Huck Cotty; his former wife: Linda Prater Dortch of Cordova; three nieces; one nephew; and special friends from Paris.

A sister, Cynthia Dortch Thompson, and a brother, Robert C. Dortch Sr., also preceded him in death.

Reprinted from THE PARIS POST-INTELLIGENCER
Paris, Tennessee
July 12, 2013 Edition ~ Used by Permission