Wilbur V. Dorn

Wilbur V. "Coke" Dorn Wenatchee, WA Wilbur V. "Coke" Dorn, 87, of Wenatchee, WA, passed away April 18, 2013, at Central Washington Hospital. He was born to John and Alma Dorn in Spokane, WA on October 15, 1925. They moved to Wenatchee when he was two years old. He attended school in Wenatchee, graduating from Wenatchee High School. In 1943, he enlisted in the Army Air Force. After extensive flight training, he was assigned to China, Burma and India, where he flew many flights over the Himalayas from China to India hauling men and supplies. He was discharged from the service in 1946, and returned to Wenatchee. He operated his own service station for one year and then went to work for the Bonneville Power Administration. In 1949, he went to work for the Chelan County P.U.D. District #1, working as a lineman and retired in 1980 as the Director of Safety & Training. He married Patricia L. Burns in 1953, and they made their home in Wenatchee. Together they raised four children. He enjoyed coaching little league baseball and Babe Ruth, teaching the kids to swim and scuba dive in their pool, hunting, fishing, camping, and going to the ocean. He was a wonderful cook and a creative and talented carpenter. He was an active member of the American Legion. During the 1960's, he was the Master of Ceremonies for the Variety Shows, where he and his wife, Pat, would sing and dance along with so many of their friends. He played in the Drum and Bugle Core and his wife, Pat, was in the Drill team; he always said "Those were golden years." He was the Commandant of Cadets for the Civil Air Patrol and flew for several years, participating in many searches for downed airmen. In the 70's, he was a Major in the Washington State National Guard. Coke was "Papa" to his grandkids; he loved going to Garrett and Blair's baseball and football games and enjoyed watching Sara play soccer and dance. He would light up whenever they were in the room. Coke loved people; he would always say, "Don't go through the whole damn day without laughing about something." Coke is survived by his children, Bill Dorn, Teri (Jeff) Wickens and Mike (Kelly) Dorn all of Wenatchee; grandchildren, Garrett Dorn of Portland, Blair Dorn of Wenatchee, Sara Wickens of Wenatchee, and Antonia and Makayla Dorn, both of Seattle. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife, Pat; his son, Jeff Dorn; his brother, Ray Dorn; his sisters, Marion St. John and Phyllis Zufall; and grandson, Lukas Dorn. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, May 11, 2013, at 1:00 p.m. at Telford's Chapel of the Valley, with Pastor Don Myers officiating. A Private Inurnment will take place at the Wenatchee Cemetery Mausoleum. Arrangements are by Telford's Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee.

Wilbur V. Dorn

October 15, 1925 - April 18, 2013