LEO DORSEY 1955 - 1983 PILOT DEN I really enjoyed the copy of FRONTIER NEWS. I flew for FL from 1955 to 1983. I hated to quit at age 60 - but I got out before they went belly up. -Leo Dorsey, Grand Junction CO (5/8/03) Subject: Re: GJT Reunion The reunion went great !!! The weather cooperated, and there was lots of shade, drinks and food. We had BBQ chicken and pork, potato salad, baked beans, spicy pinto beans, cole slaw, rolls and butter, and two special sheet cakes. The first one had a picture of a FAL DC-3 and the date 6-01-1950, the second one had a picture of a FAL B737 and the date 8-24-1986. There were a total of 58 present, including employees, spouse. Those attending from GJTOO were Les (& wife Mae) Bendickson, Arnie (Donna) Bruns, Floyd (Marie) Eicher (from CA), Bob (Pat) Flatten, Jess Heidrich, Bill (Bonnie) Hofferber, Darrell (Hazel) Jones, Lyle (Barb) Kohs (MT), Jack (Sarah) Latta (TX), Buzz (Donna) Oliver, Duane (Lois) Phelps, Lee Sigwart, Ted (Donna) Simmons (TX), Larry Sumner (AZ), Verla Travis (widow of Bud Travis), Walt (Betty) Vanderpool (UT), and Jim (Barbara) Wilds. Part of what made it special were the guests from outside of GJTOO. They were Bill Barreith (SLCMM), Capt & Mrs Gary Blanchard, Dave (Sheila) Bottinelli (DEN Acctng), Marge (Jim) DuBois (DENRR), Capt & Mrs Leo Dorsey, Janamarie (John) Dugle (Flt Attndt), Bob Pearson (Relief Agt) who came in from ME, Dewey Penley (MTJOO) and Capt Billy Watkins. -Jim Wilds (8/23/06) Note with FL News renewal: We really enjoyed the article on Al Feldman. They just don't make them like that anymore. Will be sending you an article soon. Which I hope will be okay. -Leo Dorsey (4/16/09)
Leo Dorsey Just got word from Patty O'Neill that Leo Dorsey passed away in his sleep at his home in or near GJT. Leo had fallen lately from his wheel chair & suffered some injury to his head. He was 94 years old. His good friend Terry Hill reported information to Patty. His wife was an ex nurse, named we believe Diona. He had a Son Mike pilot with UAL and a daughter they called Missy I have no pictures of Leo in his uniform but will look for photos from the picnics. -Bonnie Dahl (4/28/17) FLacebook - FL Club FLights West FLurry MAURICE LESTER RIW DEN station agent http://thedavisfuneralhome.com/obit.aspx?I=2373 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ JONNIE JONES LNK station manager No obit yet ------------------------------------------------------------------------ RAY WOODY WOODSON DEN pilot http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/azcentral/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=185103165 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ LEO DORSEY DEN pilot http://www.brownscremationservice.com/notices/Leo-DORSEY -Jake Lamkins (4/28/17) Photo: Capt Leo Dorsey Capt Leo Dorsey, Carol Carter & Capt George Meshko @ FAL picnic 2004. --Bonnie Dahl (4/30/17) L W DORSEY DEN Res Capt DOB 8/30/23 DOH 4/30/55 per the Feb 1960 Frontier Roster. He is not on the Nov 1955 Roster. -Jake Lamkins (5/10/17) FLacebook - FL Club FLight West: Leo Dorsey DEN pilot Leo Dorsey's memorial webpage is posted at http://FAL-1.tripod.com/Leo_Dorsey.html Still need a full obituary for him. At age 93 years and 7 months, he is the 9th oldest pilot to fly west. Post your remembrances of Leo. -Jake Lamkins (5/11/17) I was very saddened by this news. This picture was taken on a trip to MZT in 1972. Leo Dorsey (R), Diane Hall (C), and my Dad, George Veldboon (L) were the best of friends for many years. They all lived within close proximity of each other. In Jul 1980, I left my Dad's home in Aurora to visit my Mom in SAN. My Dad was recently released from the hospital, but still was unwell. I gave both Diane and Leo keys to his place and they both graciously offered to check in on him while I was away. Living only a half block down the street from us, Leo stopped by the following morning, only to spot the unread newspaper on the porch. He called me later that day to tell me the sad news that he had passed away in his sleep. I felt so bad for Leo. After flying back home the next day, both Leo and Diane spent hours helping me make arrangements and preparations for moving, etc. Leo was such a great friend. I will never forget him. -Vicky Veldboon (5/11/17) Vicky, that is a sad but wonderful story. Leo was a class act. R.I.P. Capt. Dorsey. -Fred Trujillo (5/11/17) Prayers for his family and friends. -Patricia Trish Swanson-Hawk (5/11/17) Sad to here news always enjoyed flying with him. -Ruth Pitts (5/11/17) I loved flying with him. Always such a gentleman. Sad to hear this news. -Connie Larsen (5/11/17) I flew with him often on the DC3 and 580-he was one of my favorites! So saddened to hear this. -Ramona Nelson (5/11/17) I had many wonder trips with him- he was a character, always a gentleman! Sad to say good bye! -Patricia Williams-harter (5/11/17) He was a dazzler...always had good stories from old battles to relate. Somehow had the aura of stardom about him. A bit bigger than life... -Ada Gehman (5/11/17) Love this photo of him and Diane Hall too. Just they way I knew and want to remember them. -Kathleen Dionne (5/11/17) Sorry to hear - but lived a long life - loved flying with him & had many a good times with him. Nice guy. -Beverly Armando (5/11/17) I remember lots of smiles and easy to be around. -Lana Kelley (5/12/17) That is so sad!! He was just a bundle of good energy!! He could party all night, and on one of the worst trips we had with a 4 hour break in Denver, Leo would go out and play a round of golf... Come back finish his trip and probably go do it all over again... Haha! -Cynthia Carter (5/12/17) Leo Dorsey Photo I’m sending an additional photo of Leo. In my opinion it’s better than the face shot you have of him taken in Mexico probably by Dianne Hall. An obituary is forthcoming. Thanx for the good work, -Michael Dorsey (6/6/18) As promised, here is the obituary of Captain Leo Dorsey. It was written by his daughter, Colleen Ayer (my sister). She is the family historian and has diligently researched and notated the family history. If I come across more photos related to Leo and working at FAL I will pass them on, as we love having this information to his memory consolidated on this website. On the recent photo of him I sent you, labeled, "an undated photo of Leo at the office", it is from 1983, his retirement year in the left seat of the MD-80, the aircraft he retired on in 1983. Our family is so happy about these tripod pages of Leo. It a great place for a memorial. Thanks so much, -Michael Dorsey 777 Captain SFO United Airlines (6/16/18)