E.D. Dorchester

Dave Dorchester, 86, passed away at Midland Memorial Hospital on December 9, 2009. Visitation will be from 6-8:00 p.m., Friday, December 11, 2009 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm, at the First Baptist Church in Midland, Saturday, December 12, 2009 and a graveside service will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park.Dave was born in Sherman and was married to his wife of 53 years Mary Felts of Big Spring. Dave graduated from the University of Texas, Austin with a degree in Electrical Engineering and from the California Institute of Technology, a MS Degree. He served in the Army Air Force as a Lieutenant.In 1949 he went to work in Ft. Worth for Texas Electric Service Company (TESCO), 1954 moved to Big Spring as TESCO Superintendent, and in 1967 moved to Midland where he served as Engineering Manager for TESCO for the Western Division until he retired in 1988.With Dave's love for his community and his profession, he served a variety of organizations. In Midland he was past President and Director of United Way of Midland; Director of Texas United Community Services; President of Midland Rotary Club; Director, Better Business Bureau; Trustee of Museum of the Southwest; Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Baptist Geriatric Hospital, San Angelo; President Midland Archeological Society. Dave was also active at First Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon, Chairman Building Committee, and taught Sunday school for young men for a number of years.He was Chairman of the Texas Board of Professional Engineers, President of Texas Society of Professional Engineers; National Director of Professional Engineers; member of Advisory Council UT-National Foundation; Chairman of Hydrology Advisory Council-Tarleton State University, Stephenville; and President National Institute of Engineering Ethics.In his 55-year career, Dave was also honored with many accomplishments. Some of those accomplishments include: Paul Harris Fellowship, Midland Rotary Club; recipient of John Emory Adams Award West Texas Archaeology; Engineer of the year Permian Basin Chapter of TSPE; engineer of the year-State of Texas, TSPE; honorary member Federacion de Colegios de Ingenieros Civiles, Mexico City; Distinguished Engineer, Texas Engineering Foundation, Austin; recognized by Texas Tech University for professional development programs and service to the engineering profession; Distinguished Service Award by National Society of Professional Engineers; along with many other distinguished awards.His hobbies included hunting and fishing as well as being an avid archaeologist, and spending time with his grandkids and friends.Dave left behind a loving family with his wife Mary; daughter/son-in-law Diana and Danny Barker, Dustin and Meredith Barker of Fort Worth, Kasey Barker, Drew Barker, Dylan Barker, all of Midland; son/daughter-in-law Brian and Kathy Dorchester, Shelby and Austin Dorchester of Aledo, TX; brother-in-law Jimmy and Nancy Felts of Comanche; nephews, Bruce and Tami Felts, Ashley and Blake of Lake Charles, LA, Farrel and Nancy Felts of Gainesville; as well as a host of other good friends.He was preceded in death by his parents, Norman "Papa" and Muzette Dorchester.Pallbearers will be his grandchildren. Honorary pallbearers will be Jimmy Smith, Jim Henderson Ernest Angelo, Webb Farish and members of Dave's Sunday school class.The family suggests any memorial contributions be sent to Midland Memorial Hospital Foundation; MD Anderson Cancer, Houston, TX; Gideon's International, Midland Camp, PO Box 11153, Midland, TX 79702.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,