John Dorsey

John Anthony Dorsey, Sr, 90, of Ocala, Florida, peacefully fell asleep in death on July 15, 2023. John was born in Baltimore, Maryland to Howard and Jessie Dorsey on November 14, 1932, and grew up in Cape May, New Jersey. Being quite the respected athlete, he was co-captain of his football team at Cape May High School and later attended Shaw University in Raleigh, NC before joining the Air Force and serving overseas during the Korean War. On July 19, 1952, John married his "Bride" of 70 years, the lovely Frances Marie Oxendine. A devoted husband and hard-working family man, he often worked 2 or 3 jobs to provide for his family, including high school and college basketball referee. He not only enjoyed officiating for a number of years, but also served as president of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA), as well as, a member of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFSHSA). Although he started working as a utility worker at New Jersey Natural Gas Company, his industrious work ethic and determination helped him advance within the company. Due to job promotions, he relocated his family to Neptune, New Jersey and later Randolph, New Jersey. After 38 years, John retired from NJ Natural Gas Company in 1998 as Vice President of Operations. Thereafter, he and his "Bride" moved to Ocala, Florida. His greatest accomplishment and joy was symbolizing his dedicating his life to serve Jehovah God by being baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses on July 1, 1989. Although initially opposed to the Bible teachings his "Bride" first introduced him to, Jehovah kept drawing and softening his heart over a 20 year period. As a dedicated servant of Jehovah, zealously looking for opportunities to preach and teach others about Jehovah became his priority. He continued to faithfully serve as an elder in the Randolph Congregation in NJ, the Southwest Congregation in Ocala, FL and the Marion Oaks English Congregation in Ocala, FL. John was a skilled "jack-of-all-trades", using his talents to build or renovate his family's homes, as well as working on various Kingdom Hall and Assembly Hall projects. Affectionately known as "JD", "Pops", "PopPop", he will be fondly remembered for his iron-grip handshake, sense of humor, generosity, listening ear, words of wisdom, willingness to help others, deep love for Jehovah, his "Bride" and family. John is survived by his loving wife, Frances Dorsey; his children, John Anthony Dorsey Jr (April), David Michael Dorsey Sr (Dana), Roberta-Lynne Dorsey, Reba Leigh Dorsey; niece, Janet Greene; brother-in-law, John A. Oxendine; sister-in-law, Diane Oxendine; granchildren, John A."Manny" Dorsey III (Karla), David Michael Dorsey Jr (Carolyn), Brandie Joubert (Charles), Erin Khaiyah Dorsey, D'Andre Dorsey (Ashley); greatgrandchildren, Brandon Dorsey, Ava Dorsey, Colin Dorsey; great nieces, Marcia Janifer, Stacey Greene; and a host of nephews, nieces, and dear friends. John is predeceased by his parents, Howard and Jessie Dorsey; his sisters, Hazel Greene, Elsie Wade, Sonya Dorsey; his brother Leo Wade; his brother-in-law, Frank Oxendine; and his sister-in-law, Jane Oxendine. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, August 12, 2023, at 2:00 pm at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 861 Marion Oaks Manor, Ocala, FL 34473. Services may be viewed via Zoom ID: 7708125340 Password: 352352. Floral arrangements may be sent to: 2650 SE18th Ave, #216, Ocala, FL34471 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation for all the prayers, visits, cards, calls, texts, emails, floral arrangements, gifts and meals provided to comfort, support and encourage during this difficult time.

John Dorsey

November 14, 1932 - July 15, 2023