George William Dorman

George W. Dorman M.D., 85, passed peacefully into God?s loving hands October 1, 2008.   Dr. Dorman considered himself to be the luckiest man on earth. He believed that he was the recipient of numerous opportunites and God-given gifts. His frequently spoken motto was ?Make yourself count!?   Dr. Dorman received his M.D. from Southwestern Medical College in Dallas, Texas. He proudly served in the United States Navy from 1942 to 1955, during  World War II and beyond. His path to pediatric surgery was set during his residence in 1949 under the mentorship of C. Everett Koop M.D. (Surgeon General) while at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia. Dr. Dorman was Chief of Surgical Services at Children?s Medical Center of Dallas from 1966-1970. He was the first Pediatric Surgeon in Dallas, Texas. From 1970 to his retirement in 1986 he and his associated pediatric surgeons were on the active staff of Phoenix Children?s Hospital as well as having privileges at all major hospitals in Phoenix. His credentials and professional organizations were numerous. He tried to meet yearly with his 1945 Southwestern classmates and the prestigous Lilliputian Pediatric Surgical Society. He was a man of many talents. Since pediatric surgery was a fairly new speciality in his day, he created many of his own surgical instruments in his shop at home.   Dr. Dorman was an avid fly fisherman, a skier and pilot. He played the piano by ear, creating beautiful music, sometimes for hours. He cried when he could no longer ?hear? the music. This kindly gentleman was comfortable with a blue collar worker as he was with a renowned intellectual.   He is survived by his devoted wife, Johnny (Yvonne); his loving daughters, Debra (Bill) Peterson and Dana Smith; step-daughter, Christine Trice; step-son, David Hurst; four grandchildren and two delightful great grandchildren.