Big John Dortch............

[Gene East]

I talked to John today. He took delivery of an electric scooter this weekend.

How long do you suppose it will take him to retro-fit it with a full house 50cc 2 stroke and go charging up and down the streets of Overland.

[Gene East]

I just received the phone call I have been dreading.

Little John called just moments ago to say John Is now reunited with Liz at Lake Paradise.

John fell Friday and broke his good leg. He passed away last night.

I will keep you posted as I hear further from Little John.

John's last few weeks were happy times. He got to come home and he got to make one last trip to DePue.

Boat racing has lost one of our true ambassadors.

[F-12]

We lost a good one............Lake Paradise has another winner on her shores. Rest in Peace Big John. You are already missed.

[Master Oil Racing Team]

Oh no! Oh no! Joe called me a little while ago. Not now! Not when everything seemed to be coming around. God bless you Little John and all the rest of the family.

[Steve Litzell]

Damn, what can I say? It was good to see Lil John and big John at DePue as Big John and I had a nice chat. So sorry to hear the news. I will always remember John's and my racing against one another and the good times he and liz and I shared over the years he will be sadly missed by this old boy

[Duke Johnson]

So happy to see John & John Jr at DePue, but thinking now of how John & Liz will be missed,
thanks for all you did for Pro Outboard Racing for all of us. Duke S-79

[Jeff Lytle]

People say I have a different way of looking at things, often making sure people see the good along with the bad..........

When Johns beloved Liz passed away, I wondered how long he would be able to cope with her loss after being together for so long.......Then came the setbacks, one after another and another.

I always thought of it this way; The almighty was testing John, allowing him to join Liz any time he wanted to, right from the very beginning.
Being the tough ol' guy he was, he still had something to prove to himself and he carried on, pushing himself to go above and beyond what the mere mortal could endure.
He proved that to us again and again, and that's a fact.

When I heard his plans to retun to DePue, I think he knew it would be his last time.
I was thrilled to learn his dream became a reality, and he was able to return once again and share his presence and strength with all.
I'm sure he was touched with the love of so many who came to give their well wishes.

Again, he proved to us all that he was someone we all dream we could be.
Only after seeing that all his hopes and wishes we all now in order, did he allow himself to leave this place to be one with God and his Liz, for now and evermore.

My condoleces to the Dortch family.

[Master Oil Racing Team]

I had a lot of similar thoughts you had Jeff although you have expressed it with more clarity. I expect that Liz gave Ray Yates a great big hug when he arrived at Lake Paradise. When Big John broke his good leg, his Godly spirit took him to the place to where he could give Liz a hug and kiss and then ask Ray and Liz to show him around,

[John Schubert T*A*R*T]

I was truly saddened late yesterday to receive the e-mail message that John had passed. I'm so grateful that I had the opportunity to visit with John at Depue a few weeks ago, who was in great spirits & kidding with everyone. As Jeff so eloquently stated, falling & breaking his good leg must of taken all the spirit he had left.

Rest in piece my good friend.

[ezryder]

I echo John's comments exactly!
Very sad to hear!
RIP Johnny! I'm sure your gonna enjoy Lake Paradise! You
don't even have to shut off for turn one --- you can take it WFO!
God Bless!
George