Francis “Gator” Dollinger, 93, of Beaumont, died Saturday, December 10, 2006 at Calder Woods.
A native and lifelong resident of Beaumont, Gator was a graduate of Beaumont High School and Texas A&M College, Class of 1935. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the United States Army, and served during World War II where his duties carried him to England, Africa and Italy. After the war, Gator received his separation from the Army, and had attained the rank of Major. He returned to his family business, and ultimately retired after a half century with Dollinger Steel. Gator was a member of the Beaumont Rotary Club for over fifty years, the Young Men’s Business League where he was honored as one of the first Keymen in 1938 and Fair Chairman in 1951, and the Beaumont A&M Club where he was honored as a Platinum Aggie sixty years after graduation from the university. In his later years, Gator enjoyed growing and showing roses, and participated in many Golden Triangle Rose Society and American Rose Society Shows.
Survivors include his son, Ken Dollinger of Beaumont; daughter, Paddi Gilstrap and her husband Jerry of Lumberton; four grandchildren, Andy McBeath, Christopher McBeath, Joel McBeath and his wife Whitney, and Jaclyn Dollinger; and two great grandchildren, Avery McBeath and Kade McBeath.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 13, 2006 at in St. Pius X Catholic Church with his godchild, Reverend John Rouse presiding. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont. A gathering of family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 12, 2006 with a Christian Vigil at 7:00 p.m. at the Mortuary.
Memorial contributions in Gator’s memory may be made to: the Alzheimer’s Association, 440 N. 18th Street, Beaumont, Texas, 77707.
