Dorr Mead

TRAVERSE CITY — Dorr Joseph Mead, 88, died Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011, at Tendercare Health Care of Leelanau of complications from congestive heart failure and a stroke.He was the third child of Orr and Lillian Mead. Born in Allegan, he moved frequently with his family during his childhood. The family arrived in Traverse City in 1935, and Dorr graduated from Traverse City High School in 1941. He served in the U.S. Army in 1943.Dorr was a lifelong professional musician, bandleader and member of Detroit Federation of Musicians, Local #5. He began his career as a saxophone player at age 14, played in several dance bands earlier in his life, and continued to "sit in" with local bands until recently. It was in one of these bands that he met his wife, Lorraine Fox, the band's singer. They married in 1949.Dorr's "day job" was as a Quality Control Engineer. He worked for Chrysler Corp. for a number of years and retired from General Dynamics Land Systems Division in 1988. He was a member of the Elks Club (Plymouth Lodge #1780). He was also an inventor who held two patents.His parents; his sister, Marda Prout; his niece, Patricia Rippins; and great-niece, Melissa Crowell, preceded him in death.He is survived by two children, David (Kathleen O'Toole) Mead, of Derwood, Md., and Kathleen Nathan (Frank) Lowe, of Lewisville, N.C.; a sister, Marion Steele, of Traverse City; three grandchildren, David (Anna) Nathan, of Cary, N.C., Elizabeth Nathan, of Washington, D.C., and Ryan Mead, of San Francisco; two step-grandchildren, Frank (Kim) Lowe III, of Kings Mountain, N.C., and Jonathan Lowe, of Raleigh, N.C.; step-great-grandchildren Max and Alex Lowe, of Kings Mountain, N.C.; nephews Ronald (Sally) Steele, of Grand Rapids, and Michael Prout, of Lakeland, Fla.; nieces Marilyn (Joe) Haines, of Traverse City, Peggy Vaughn, of Traverse City, and Mary Ellen (Ron) Toppings, of Richmond, Ky.; and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.A private family memorial service will be held in Traverse City at a later date.Memorials may be made to Interlochen Summer Arts Camp scholarship fund, Memorial Scholarship, P.O. Box 199, Interlochen, MI 49643.Please sign Dorr's online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.

Dorr Mead

November 19, 2011