Harry A. Dollahite's Obituary
Harry Andereck Dollahite, a retired Merchandising Manager and General Advertising Representative for The Dallas Morning News, peacefully entered the kingdom of heaven July 8, 2014. He was 89. A native of Amory, Mississippi, Harry was a newspaperman for over 40 years before retiring from The Dallas Morning News in 1989. A World War II veteran, his three years of service included one year in the States and two years in the China, Burma and India theater. After discharge from the Army Engineers, he attended the University of Missouri, and graduated with a Bachelors of Journalism and Advertising in 1949. He was a member of Alpha Delta Sigma, a Mason, and a born again Christian – worshiping at Believers Chapel in Dallas.His first newspaper job was with the Memphis Publishing Company and he also worked for The Commercial Appeal and Memphis Press- Scimitar before volunteering for the Army in 1943. Following graduation from college, he returned to the Memphis newspapers and worked there until being named General Advertising Manager of the Houston Press in 1955. In 1960, Harry was transferred to the New York City office of Scripps-Howard Newspapers, and was later named Southwestern Manager of the Dallas office in 1969. For 10 years before joining The Dallas Morning News he worked as Southwestern Manager of Story & Kelly Smith, an advertising representative for numerous national newspapers. He lived in Larchmont, NY for almost ten years, but never lost his Mississippi accent or friendly, southern disposition.His love of volunteering and organizing kept him busy throughout his life. He was a cub scout Cubmaster, and Troop Leader in the Boy Scouts. He attended over 40 annual family reunions, and coordinated over 27 bi-annual gatherings for the 780th Engineer Petroleum Distribution Company Veterans in various cities across the nation. After each of these, Harry faithfully sent a round-up report of activities, along with photos and videos to all his surviving army buddies including those who were unable to attend. The “Last Roundup” of 780th EPD was held in Wichita, KS in 2005. Five of the remaining veterans still able to travel, met one last time in Huntsville, AL in 2006. Harry was the youngest, and one of the last living members of the 780th EPD. Harry married Virginia Alston of Memphis, TN in 1948. She was the center of his life for 65 years. In addition to “Ginny”, he is survived by sons, Bert Dollahite, PhD (Dale) of San Jose, CA, Andy Dollahite, MD (Leslie) of Fort Worth, TX and daughter, Anne Hesch, RN of Richardson, TX. Additional family include eight grand sons, two grand daughters, 10 great grand children and nephew, Jim Lombard, (Cathi) of Plano, TX. Harry and Ginny have lived in Richardson, TX since 1969.Funeral services will be 2:30 p.m., Saturday, July 19 at Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, Memphis, TN with the burial to follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.A Celebration Of Life will be held at Believers Chapel, 6420 Churchill Way in Dallas, Texas 75230 on July 22, 2014 at 11:00am.The family has kindly requested that donations be made to either the American Diabetes Association or Believers Chapel in Dallas.Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave. Memphis TN, 38119. (901) 767-8930.
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