John Michael "Mike" Dorman entered Heaven's gates on the 15th of March 2013, a week after celebrating his 63rd birthday. He began his earthly journey on the 8th of March 1950 in Austin, Texas - a city to which he would return years later to support his wife's and stepsons' beloved Longhorns. He even learned to put his horns up! The second of nine children, he and his family moved to Lake Jackson in 1955, and it was here Mike developed his passion for fishing at the Dow Reservoir, and golf at Riverside Country Club. He attended Brazosport High School in Freeport, playing on the golf team. He could still tell you every shot he hit at the regional tournament where his team finished second. That second place finish lead to a full golf scholarship and a spot on the first golf team at Houston Baptist, a university he held dear. When reminiscing, he could recall which club he selected for every shot in each college tournament in which he played. While at HBU he was a multiple-times recipient of the annual top Scholar Athlete Award, and also served as President of his fraternity. The next stop on his journey was law school at The University of Houston - a proud Cougar he was. He worked his way through law school while serving as Editor of Law Review, culminating in his summa cum laude graduation in 1975. After a memorable two week road trip to California with his best friend from law school to celebrate their graduation, Mike joined the law firm of Liddell Sapp Zivley & Brown, now Locke Lord, on the 9th of June 1975. During his almost 38 years at "the Firm" practicing commercial litigation, he worked on many cases, the most gratifying of which was his victory in a bet-the-company lawsuit that saved a small family business. Never one to promote himself, Mike cared more about nurturing younger lawyers and promoting them. He was a proud member of the Houston Golf Association for 20 years, joining the organization after having played in their Junior program as a young man, and appreciating the opportunities it afforded him. He always looked forward to greeting guests in the Sky Box at The Shell Houston Open. He served on the Board of Directors, and was very involved in the HGA college scholarship committee because he wanted others to enjoy the same opportunities he had been given. Joining Royal Oaks Country Club in 2001, Mike could be seen on the driving range with his fluid swing and hip turn, amazing others at the power of his drives with that short back swing. While he enjoyed serving on the Board of Directors, playing Sunday Couples' golf, and enjoying the warmth of his golf friends, his real passion was for the club employees. Always a champion for the underdog, he was Chair of the Employee Scholarship Fund and spearheaded the inaugural Employee Scholarship tournament - a favorite event of his, not to mention being last year's champion. His impassioned speeches to the membership for their contributions to the fund resulted in generous donations, and his efforts will surely benefit the lives of those who receive the scholarships.
He had many accomplishments, none of which you would ever hear about from him, including the four holes-in-one, but his proudest accomplishment was his three stepsons whom he loved as his own. He passed on his love of fishing, golf, a fine single malt scotch, and most importantly his love of God. Preceded in death by his parents, Pauline and John Dorman, his older brother Tony, and his beloved black lab Jackson, Mike is survived by the love of his life as he called her, his wife Beth, his stepsons/daughters-in-law William and Ellen Peeples, Andrew and Juli Peeples, and Preston Peeples, and the newest love of his life, his first grandchild, Holland Peeples. Also mourning his loss are his brothers/sisters/in-laws/nieces and nephews: Dianne and Randy Allen (Matt and Megan, Spencer and Kallie, Katy); Georgeanna and Randy Tonnesen (Travis and JP); Jean and Mickey Hicks (Samantha and Michael); Joan Graham (Christian and Jessie); Steve and Kathleen Dorman (Catherine and Cameron); David Dorman and Kimberly Macheski; and Lynn and Greg Blue (Megan and Ben). We are most grateful to Dr. Chris Logothetis and Claudette Mendoza at M. D. Anderson.
Mike's journey on earth has ended, and he has reached his final destination - Heaven. Cancer may have won this battle on earth, but God has won the battle of Mike's heart and soul for eternity. We are pretty sure he is now on the green of God's heavenly course, lying two, standing over his birdie putt, St. Peter holding the flag.
Friends are cordially invited to gather with the family and share remembrances of Mike during a reception from five o'clock in the afternoon until eight o'clock in the evening on Monday, the 18th of March, in the library and grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.
A memorial service, in celebration of Mike's life, is to be conducted at one o'clock in the afternoon on Tuesday, the 19th of March, at Second Baptist Church, 6400 Woodway Drive in Houston, where Rev. Dave Riggle is to officiate. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family at a venue to be announced during the service.
In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions in Mike's honor may be directed to the HGA Scholarship Fund, 5810 Wilson Rd., Suite 112, Humble, TX, 77396, (281) 454-7000; or to the Royal Oaks Scholarship Fund, c/o Greater Houston Community Foundation, 5120 Woodway Dr., Suite 6000, Houston, TX, 77056, (713) 333-2210.
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