Verdon Wood Dorough

Verdon Wood ("VW") Dorough, age 92, of Russellville, Alabama passed away on Thursday, April 09, 2009. Early Thursday morning "Pop" had his own idea, as usual, deciding it was time to start a cribbage game in Heaven. He will be greatly missed by his family and by Misty, his dog, even though she never learned to play the game. The eighth and last surviving child of James "Oscie" and Frances Hassett Dorough, VW was born on June 07, 1916, in Dunnavant, Alabama. He served as president of his senior class at Leeds High School and graduated from Birmingham-Southern College in 1939, where he was a member of Theta Chi. A life-long supporter of Birmingham-Southern, the newest alumni directory arrived in the mail last week. Because the directory listed graduates by their class, VW's name appeared on the third page of the one thousand page directory. VW suspected the College wanted a contribution. After being rejected three times as a volunteer-- "for no good reason" other than he was blind in one eye and could not hear all that well --- VW was finally drafted and served with the 65th Infantry Division in the European theatre during World War II. He also reigned as ping pong champion of two different training bases. As a direct result of VW's persistence, the decorated veteran and his wife, Louise, were able to serve as hosts to the 55th reunion of the 65th Infantry Division this past September in Sheffield, the first time the event had ever been held in the State of Alabama. Following the War, VW was introduced to his future wife by mutual friends. He and Louise went dancing for the next five years. An accomplished athlete, Louise finally learned to actually follow VW's rather inventive dance steps; they were married in 1951. Louise continued to learn over the years, allowing the couple to create one last, imaginative dance step from VW's hospital bed less than a week ago. VW spent most of his working life as manager for United States Pipe and Foundry in Birmingham and Russellville, Alabama. Also, a Master Mason, VW served various offices, including Worshipful Master. VW was even more proud of his years of service as a Scout Master for Troop 39 in Russellville. The scouts will remember him for his homemade beef stew. VW preferred the fresh salmon he got by driving the camper to Alaska in 2001 -- on his 85th birthday. VW is survived by his wife of 57 years, Louise; three children, Marti (Bill) Wayland and Byron (Sharon) Dorough, all of Signal Mountain, TN, and Grant (Melody) Dorough of Indian Trail, NC; five grandchildren, Emmie (Ty) Treadwell, Jessica (Aaron) Haluska, Mary Kate Wayland, Kristine Dorough, and Addie Dorough; one great-grandson, Frank Treadwell, who "came just in time"' a host of nieces and nephews; and many, much younger friends. Always Methodist to his core, VW was a faithful member of the First United Methodist Church of Russellville for the last 45 years. A service of celebration will be held there beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 11, 2009. Visitation at the church will begin at 10:00 a.m. The musical program will include traditional funeral dirges selected by VW, such as "This Little Light of Mine" Spry Memorial Chapel assisted the family. To sign the register book and to offer private condolences to the family, go to www.sprymemorialchapel.com.

Verdon Wood Dorough

June 7, 1916 - April 9, 2009

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