Lonnie Dorsey, Jr.

Lonnie B. Dorsey Jr. was born on November 4, 1947, in Buffalo, Texas to the parentage of Lonnie B. Dorsey Sr. and Zelma Dorsey. He was the sixth of fifteen children, eleven girls and four boys. Lonnie accepted Christ at an early age. He attended Cedar Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Buffalo, and graduated from GB Bennett High School.

He was sent to Vietnam to serve in the United States Army from 1967 to 1970. He was honorably discharged with a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. During the Vietnam War, Lonnie and his friend John Hansen were surrounded by North Vietnamese soldiers. Both were wounded, John severely wounded. Lonnie told John to "shut up and play dead". John said, "Lonnie saved my life". Lonnie never considered himself a hero, but John did. He searched for Lonnie for 19 years. After reuniting, the two became close, sharing stories about their families and their love for their grandchildren.

Lonnie furthered his education at East Field College. He began to work at Lucent Technology, where he retired after working for thirty years.

Lonnie met Dorothy White Dorsey in 1970 and later married in March 1971. They have been married over fifty-three years. They had three children: Kevin, Tonya, and Candice. Lonnie was a man who loved God and his family. He loved hosting family fish fry’s, barbecues, card games and family gatherings. He also loved gardening, working on his art, traveling with his family on vacations, deer hunting, fishing with his brothers, son, and grandsons, watching sports and politics or, as he would say, "politricks". He also enjoyed traveling with his friends from Dallas VA to the National Golden Age Games hosted in different states, where he participated in competitive sports and recreational events. Lonnie never met a stranger. Lonnie loved his friends he met at the VA. He would call them his "nutty buddies". They would call each other every day to check on each other and discuss their love/hate for different sports teams. 

In January 2023, Lonnie was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. He was a solider for two years, going through phases of treatments, unrealistic life expectancy and even more diagnosis. During that time, he never complained. He maintained his love for God and family, he kept his dignity and held his head high. He never wavered from who he was born to be. A hero to the country and a hero to his family.

He treated everyone with respect and kindness, but he was also known for speaking his mind. He was a great protector and provider. A loyal and trusted friend, and a role model for his nephews and nieces, especially to his children and grandchildren. Lonnie will never be forgotten and will continue to live in us.

Lonnie was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters, Odessa, Ocie, Thelma, and Virginia; brother, Charles; and daughter, Candice.

Lonnie leaves to cherish his memories: his loving wife, Dorothy Dorsey; son, Kevin; daughter, Tonya; five grandchildren, Allyiah, Kevin, Dexter, Terrence and Tyre. Three great-grandchildren, Kourtney, Sariya, and Alijah; sisters, Katie Dorsey, Mae Nelson, Luvenia Williams (T Dell), Viola Spencer (Dwight), Jackie Carson (Donald), Diane Tribble, and Lillie Jones; brothers, Adolph (Hazel) and Floyd (Esther); godson, DeAndre Dorsey (Ashley); one sister-in-law, Beatrice Bennett, four brothers-in-law, Raymond, Clarence, Tommy, and Frankie D., along with a host of other relatives and friends. 

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