Dorman Hayward Winfrey

Dorman Hayward Winfrey On March 28, 2009, Dorman Hayward Winfrey, age 84, passed away peacefully at St. David's Hospital in Austin. He is survived by his wife of fifty-four years, Ruth Carolyn; daughters, Laura Gould and husband Jim of Arlington, VA and Jennifer Leisure of Bastrop; four grandchildren, John and Patrick Gould and Benjamin and Molly Leisure. He is preceded in death by his parents Luke Abel and Linnie Fears Winfrey. Also surviving are his cousins, Adrian Gentry, Lee and Ken Hensley of Austin and numerous cousins in Henderson, Texas. Dorman grew up in Henderson, Texas and graduated from Henderson High School in 1942. He was a World War II veteran, a proud member of the Sixty-Ninth Infantry Division. He served in the U.S. Army from 1943-1946. After leaving the army, he returned to Texas to study at the University in Austin. He lived the rest of his life in Austin. Dorman received three degrees from UT: B.A. 1950, M.A. 1951 and Ph.D. in l962. All of his degrees were in history. While working on his three degrees, Dorman held a variety of positions with UT and the State of Texas. He was a research associate with the Texas State Historical Association (1946-1958), state archivist at the Texas State Library (1958-1960), University of Texas Archivist (1960-61) and finally, in 1962, he was appointed director of the Texas State Library and Archives. He served in that position for more than twenty-four years until he retired on November 30, 1986. Dr. Winfrey was the author of numerous articles and books. He won the award of merit from the American Association for State and Local History for two of his books-A History of Rusk County, Texas (1961) and Julien Sidney Devereux and his Monte Verde Plantation (1964). He edited the Indian Papers of Texas and the Southwest, 1825-1916 (five volumes), and wrote Arturo Toscanini in Texas: The 1950 NBC Orchestra Tour (1967). Throughout his life, he was active in many organizations, including the American Library Association, the Society of American Archivists, the Texas State Library Association and the Texas State Historical Association. He was also a member of the Texas Institute of Letters and the Philosophical Society of Texas. He was a founding member on the board of the International- Festival Institute at Round Top and he was a life-long member of University Christian Church in Austin. Dorman was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend and he will be missed by the many people whose lives he touched. During his retirement years he was especially devoted to his grandchildren and when he could, he loved to participate in their many activities. The family wishes to thank the many caring doctors, nurses, aides and therapists at St. David's Hospital who took care of him during the last five years. And a special thank you to Dr. John Murray for his compassion. The family will receive friends at Cook-Walden on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. The Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 1 at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar in Austin. Graveside Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, April 2, in Welch Cemetery in Henderson, TX. Memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice, the International Festival- Institute at Round Top, PO Box 89, Round Top, Texas, 78954 or University Christian Church, 2007 University Avenue, Austin, 78705.