VADM James F. Dorsey and Jeanne Lynch Hobbs Dorsey Jr.

05/28/1934 - 07/14/2025

Vice Admiral James F. "Yank" Dorsey, Jr., USN (Ret.), 91, and his beloved wife of 66 years, Jeanne Lynch Hobbs Dorsey, 91, passed away in 2025, just months apart. Yank took his Last Take Off on July 14, 2025 in Silver Spring, Maryland, following Jeanne's passing on March 11, 2025. Together in life and now in rest, their story is one of deep devotion, service, and love.
Yank, born in Baltimore, Maryland, grew up on Capitol Hill and was a proud graduate of Gonzaga High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve during the Korean War while attending Wilson Teachers College in Washington DC. He entered the Naval Aviation Cadet (NAVCAD) Program and earned his Wings of Gold in 1956. He flew fighters for over 30 years, including combat missions in Vietnam. He was Commanding Officer of the VF-21 Freelancers, the VF-121 Pacemakers (twice), USS Caloosahatchee, USS America, and Carrier Group Four. While in command of USS America, the ship became this first "super carrier" to transit the Suez Canal. He concluded his 40-year Navy career as a Vice Admiral in command of the United States Third Fleet.
Yank was a proud member of the Golden Eagles, an honor bestowed in recognition of his pioneering career as an aviator. He amassed 4,747 flight hours, made 931 carrier landings, and introduced the F-4 Phantom to the Navy as an instructor pilot.
Jeanne, born in Salem, Virginia, was a life-long learner. She earned her undergraduate degree from Longwood Women's College, a Master's from the University of Pittsburgh, and both a Masters and PhD from San Diego State University. After beginning her career in merchandising, she found her true calling in education.
As a high school English teacher, Jeanne was beloved by students and colleagues alike, often voted Teacher of the Year and chosen repeatedly as Senior Class Advisor. She was known for her quick wit, compassion, and brilliance, always making others feel welcome, heard, and valued. She enjoyed stints teaching at Princess Anne High School and Bayview H.S. in Virginia Beach, and at Grossmont High School. in La Mesa, CA. She also served as an English instructor in Yokosuka, Japan. Friends and family joke that there is an entire generation of Japanese students saying phrases like "y'all" in Jeanne's Virginia accent.
Jeanne was the heart of every gathering, the perfect hostess, and a tireless supporter of her family and community. Whether grading papers at a hockey rink or engaging a stranger in the hallway of Riderwood Village, she lived by her mantra: "Each day I want to make at least one person either laugh or smile." She radiated kindness, and listened with an open ear and a warm smile that always made others feel valued. She could make anyone feel welcome, a trait that blessed her with many treasured friends over the years.
Married in 1958, the couple shared a life of adventure and service. Navy assignments took them around the world - San Diego, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Monterey, Yokosuka, Pearl Harbor, Washington, DC, Spain and Germany, to name a few. Wherever they lived, Jeanne made a warm, loving home filled with laughter and grace.
Together, Jeanne and Yank built a remarkable life and legacy. They are survived by their sons, James F. Dorsey III (Patricia) and CAPT Timothy W. Dorsey, USN (Ret.) (Diana); their grandchildren, Margaret Lynne, Anne Hobbs, James Walker, and Daniel Gray; and their great-grandchildren, Thane, Ronan, and Runa. They are also fondly remembered by extended family including the Kiesel, Jones, Dorsey and Moore clans.
A service will be held for Yank on August 2, 2025, at 12 p.m. at the Chapel in the Riderwood Village Square Building, 3110 Gracefield Road, Silver Spring, MD. Interment for both will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date.