Robert Edward Dorton

Robert Edward Dorton, 89, of 844 Mimosa Dr, Kingsport, TN died Thursday, November 10, 2011 at Elmcroft Senior Living of Kingsport, TN after a prolonged illness. The second of five sons, he was born on September 10, 1922 in Castlewood, VA to the late Henry Grover Dorton and Vesta Lee Jessee Dorton. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his four brothers, H. Harold, Russell S., Kenneth L., and William L. Dorton.ã??

Mr. Dorton was a beloved and loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was a member of the Crossroads United Methodist Church of Kingsport and was a Shops and Maintenance Supervisor and later a Project Planner for Tennessee Eastman for over 40 years before retiring. His elementary education was at the Dorton School in Castlewood, VA. Mr. Dorton graduated from Temple Hill High School in Castlewood in 1939 and had been a past member of the Kingsport Elks Club. He also served in the U. S. Army Air Corps during World War II and was very proud of his time as a pilot serving his country.

Following retirement, he enjoyed riding his motorcycle, fishing, vacationing, working on construction projects around his home and the old homeplace, helping around the house, volunteering in the community and attending to his grandchildren.

Surviving are his wife of 64 years, Eugenia Gene Dickenson Dorton of Kingsport, TN; son, Robert E. Dorton, Jr., and wife, Mary Beth of Warren, AR; son, James H. Dorton and wife, Kathryn of Johnson City, TN; daughter, Teresa Dorton Carter and husband, George of Kingsport, TN; grandchildren, Aaron Dorton of Little Rock, AR, Matthew Dorton of Kodak, TN, Daniel Dorton of Morristown, TN, Mary P. Dorton of Searcy, AR, Samuel Dorton of Searcy, AR, Timothy Dorton of Warren, AR, Kiley Dorton of Atlanta, GA, Hilary Dorton of Los Angeles, CA, Mari Kate Freeman currently attending the University of South Carolina, Calleigh Dorton of Johnson City, TN, Jennifer Carter of Raleigh, NC., Casey Carter currently attending The University of Michigan, and Edward Carter of Murfreesboro, TN.; great-grandchildren, Rachel and Norah Dorton of Morristown, TN, Elliot Carter of Murfreesboro, TN and Chloe Dorton of Atlanta, GA.ã??

The family wants to especially thank Mr. Dorton's dedicated caregivers at Elmcroft and George Carter for their friendship and attentiveness.ã??

The family will receive friends on Sunday, November 13, 2011 from 2:00 to 4:00p.m. at Crossroads United Methodist Church, 200 Bays Cove Trail, Kingsport, TN. The funeral service will follow at 4:00p.m., with Pastor Randy Lantz officiating. The graveside service will be held at 11:00a.m. on Monday, November 14, 2011 at Temple Hill Memorial Park in Castlewood, VA, with military rites conducted by local military veterans and Gate City National Guard Honors Team.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America or the Crossroads United Methodist Church Emergency Maintenance Fund.