Richard Wayne Dorsey

Richard Wayne Dorsey "Ric," 44, of Montgomery, formerly of Madisonville, went home to be with his Lord and Savior surrounded by his closest family on March 25. Ric heroically fought a five year battle with colon cancer. Ric was born August 29, 1972 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Richard Harris Dorsey and Helen (Howser) Dorsey. Ric became fascinated with music and the guitar at a young age, and was a talented, self-taught musician. He played in several bands while growing up in Tulsa and continued to play after he graduated high school. After graduating as valedictorian from Booker T. Washington, Ric went directly into the workforce where he became skilled and talented in many trades, but never left his first love, music.


In 1999, Ric moved to Madisonville to be near his mother. Not long after his move, Ric joined First Baptist Madisonville where he became involved with the choir. His involvement with the choir opened an opportunity for him to pursue his two greatest passions of singing and playing the guitar. Ric voluntarily served for five years as the lead guitar player for the church worship team and also led worship for the youth group. On April 15, 2007, a young woman began working as secretary of First Baptist and attended one of the church services. After the service, Ric introduced himself to her, and they began a great love story.


Ric and Salena were married in the same church they met on September 20, 2008, and they would later dedicate their daughter, Olivia, to the Lord on the same steps in which they were married. The couple served in many capacities at First Baptist for a number of years, including singing together on many occasions. In 2011, Ric began leading worship for Faith Baptist Church in Madisonville. During that time, Ric received the news that he had cancer. Even through many surgeries and many rounds of chemotherapy, Ric continued to lean on Christ and serve him as a worship leader.


Ric and his family left Madisonville and moved to Montgomery in 2013 where Ric worked for Montgomery ISD as a job coach for the special education department. Ric thrived in the job because of his sweet spirit, and love for children. He also continued to lead worship at Montgomery area churches. In 2014 he was ordained as a pastor. It was one of his greatest moments, as he looked forward to growing in his ministry and leading people to Christ. Ric greatly enjoyed worshiping his Heavenly Father and leading others in worship. It was one of his greatest joys. He also loved to teach others music, and spent many years giving guitar lessons. Ric was also a talented artist and writer. He has a compilation of drawings, poems, songs, and stories that he has written through the years. Ric loved photography, art, and anything creative. It was his hope and desire to one day fulfill his dream of being a published writer and artist. He was a kind, gentle, loving man with a beautiful soul, whose heart was for people and for Christ.


He always carried a smile on his face, even after his cancer diagnosis. He sincerely enjoyed life and appreciated the simple things. He loved wild flowers and walking through the park with his children in each hand. He was a devoted family man, who always put his family first. He loved being with his family and absolutely adored his wife and children. It was his greatest wish that his family would grow in the knowledge and way of the Lord. Ric also loved to tell others about Christ and what Christ had done for him, even in the midst of his failing health. It was his deepest wish that his cancer story be used for the glory of God. He would often say, Whether I live or whether I die, it will all be to Gods glory. Ric was an honorable man, a beloved son and brother, an amazing husband, and a superb father. He will always be greatly missed. There will never be another man like him.


Ric is preceded in death by his grandparents, Claude O. Howser and Ruby Cockrell Howser, and Fred E. Dorsey and Mary Ann O'Brian.


He is survived by his loving wife, Salena (Whitworth) Dorsey, of Montgomery; his children, Naomi and Olivia Dorsey, both at home and his son, Isaac Dorsey of Ledville, Colorado. He is also survived by his beloved mother he absolutely adored, Helen (Howser) Bottoms and step-father, Roy Bottoms of Midway; his father, Richard Harris Dorsey of Sulpulpa, Oklahoma; his sisters LeAnn Ratcliff, of Midway and Becky Dorsey of Oklahoma; his brothers, Tommy Dorsey of Oklahoma, Rich Dorsey of Florida, and Philip Dorsey of Oklahoma. He is also survived by beloved cousins, Patricia Wright, and Greg and Jeff Layton, and his Aunt Kathy and Uncle Jim Wood of Oklahoma along with his nieces, Brandy Dorsey and Lexi Laster and nephew, Daniel Dorsey. He also leaves behind beloved in-laws, whom he called the best in-laws, Phillip and Celia Whitworth of Normangee and two sisters-in-law, Emily Whitworth and Amanda Johnson and her husband, Donny.


Funeral arrangements are being handled by Madisonville Funeral Home in Madisonville. Visitation will be at Madisonville Funeral Home on Friday, March 31, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. The funeral will be held on Saturday, April 1, 2017 at 1:00 pm at First Baptist Church Madisonville. A graveside will follow at the Leona Cemetery in Leona.


A Richard Dorsey Memorial Fund has been established at Wells Fargo Bank to help the family pay for final expenses and medical cost, or you can donate at gofundme.com/ricfightscancer. The family would like to thank everyone for their prayers and support over the last five years.

Funeral Services:
First Baptist Church
1:00 PM, Saturday, April 1, 2017