Donavon D. Dorsey

September 29, 1937 - June 14, 2013

Donavon Duane Dorsey passed away on June 14, 2013 at 75 years of age. He was born on September 29, 1937 in Griswold, Iowa and grew up on a small farm. As a young man, he moved to Washington State and lived there most of his life, but retired in San Angelo, Texas in 2008. Although a robust man, he suffered the past few years with Pulmonary Hypertension and renal failure. He passed away after he was rushed to San Antonio, Texas, for emergency heart valve replacement surgery. He succumbed later that evening to complications.

He leaves behind his wife of 32 years, Rae-Ann (Cacici) Dorsey (aka Lewis, Maurer); brother, Lyle Dorsey; daughter Jadene Stensland, her husband Gerald Stensland, and their two children Pacific and Cascade; as well as step-daughter Nancy Maurer, her two children, Brittany and Ashley and her four grandchildren. He joins in death his son, Sean Wallace Dorsey (1980) and step-son Brian Johnathan Maurer (1992).

He was an avid motorcycle enthusiast, belongs to the BMW Club of San Angelo and frequented Jim's Bike Clubhouse. He promoted speedway and flat-track races as well as trained riders for several years. He enjoyed genealogy and traced many of his family line for hundred of years.

A memorial service, followed by a ride, will be held at Jim's Bike Clubhouse at 241 N Main St, San Angelo TX on Saturday, June 22, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. Donations, in lieu of flowers, can be sent to Pulmonary Hypertension Association at www.phassociation.org/Donate or 301-565-3004.

By: Rae-Ann Dorsey

Editors Note:

I only met Dorsey once or twice when he came to Auburn back in the 80's and I found him to be an interesting fella to say the least, maybe crotchety would be a way to explain it. He always found a track that could support speedway if someone would get off their butts and do it. I am not sure I ever met his wife, but the last time I saw him when he was living in Washington and was at the Flat Track races near Seattle. Been so long can not remember. I know that my good friends Vance Felicio and John Grant were there as John would go race anywhere anytime.

Below are some links to information about Donavon:

TRAC Arena, Pasco, Washington - A race Donavon promoted.

California Tracks

2000 California News

2005 East Coast News

Race Tracks that could run Speedway