Tom Dorrance, 93, retired rancher and famous horseman in Oregon and California, died in Monterey, Calif., on June 11, 2003. He was born in Enterprise May 11, 1910.
Mr. Dorrance enjoyed helping people with their horses and in later years conducted horse clinics. He was the author of the book “True Unity” and invented the tilt-up automatic gate. He was recognized for his horsemanship in publications such as the New York Times, People Magazine, and Western Horseman and was a former 4-H leader in Oregon and served as president of the Wallowa County Stockgrowers Association in 1956. He received the Merced College Agriculture Division Award in 1985, the National Reined Cow Horse Association Vaquero Award in 1994, the Cowboy Hall of Fame Chester A. Reynolds Memorial Award in 1995 and the Lavin Cup from the American Association of the Equine Practitioners in 1999.
Survivors include his wife of 37 years, Margaret, at home in Salinas, Calif.; four nephews, three nieces, and two grandnieces.
A memorial was held June 29, 2003.
Used with permission from: The Record Courier, Baker City, Oregon, July, 2003
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor
