George Ross Dormon, Jr

George “Ross” Dormon passed peacefully on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2022, at the age of 75. It was an unexpected end to a long and arduous battle with cancer caused by continued exposure to the defoliant chemicals agent orange and blue during a War that never should have been. Yet in this war he found a calling of brotherhood that transcends the myopic and stupid whims of our politicians, and bands together men who forever remain in the service of one another. He was proud of his service to his brothers; he was proud of his humanity. And so were we all! Ross Dormon was a naturalist beyond all scope. Known as Rosdmon to all who loved him. He was an organic garlic farmer. No greater steward of God’s Green Earth ever lived, and we know there was a joyous heavenly welcome for him amidst the fireworks that evening. We were not allowed to mow over flower bearing weeds, or cut the grass to close, or get rid of the sticky burr plants, or put chemicals on anything, because the bees and the birds need to be here. He individually trapped every feral cat on our street, took them to the spay-neuter clinic, “fixed” them all, returned them to our street, and faithfully fed them every day by hand until he earned their trust. There are no more feral cats on Coffee Lane. Acts of compassion. He taught us that our smallest moments can be our greatest if we are doing something to make the world just a little easier, a little more beautiful, for something or someone else. Ross looked up everyday; he stopped and watched the sunset, everyday; he touched the earth in some manner, everyday; and so, there was always a certain tenderness and love even in the fog of fear and uncertainty, which is the human condition. He gave freely of what he had to those in need. And he grew the best, stickiest, holiest weed central Florida ever smoked in the 1980’s. While the politicians at the Governors Club slurped their Bombay martinis and came up with ever more medieval ways to prevent people from smoking pot, he answered his calling. Those who suffered were relieved. It was his “church work.” His love and his cannabis, and yes, even his money, healed so many hurting people. And through his dedicated activism and those like him, we are no longer locking adults up for using organic medicine. Ross was born in Birmingham, Alabama on October 29, 1947. He was one of the prettiest men God ever made. Even to his last breath people could not get over how gorgeous he was. He often said, “he learned to talk in Alabama, walk in Texas, and make love in Florida.” And he did just that; he made a whole lot of love happen in Florida and he will forever be remembered and revered. Ross is survived by his wife and beloved partner, Candace Swain, his brother Robert Dormon, his daughters, Brandy Jane Hoppes (Paul Hoppes) and Caroline Ross Bradley, his stepdaughters, Emory Whitefield (Alan Mazur), Ryen Pagel (Nicholas Pagel) and Margaux Whitefield, his surrogate son, sweet Jayme Glusman, his adult granddaughter, Matilda Fermin, and his precious grandbabies, Jake Bradley, Claire and Violet Pagel, and Cora Whitefield. He was preceded in death by his father, George R Dormon SR, his mother Jane May Dormon, and his sister, Nancy Dormon. A Veteran Memorial Service will be held at the Tallahassee National Cemetery, 5015 Apalachee Pkwy, 32311, Wednesday, January 18, 2023, at 2:00 PM - All are welcome The family cannot fully express their gratitude for the care and love they received from the people at the Dozier House, and to Jackie Fulford for her amazing empathy and care. In lieu of flowers, watch a sunset at least once a week. The family is being assisted by Jackie Fulford and James Sircy of Young Fulford Funeral Home and Crematory, Tallahassee, Florida. (850.610.4444/YoungFulford.com)

George Ross Dormon, Jr

October 29, 1947 - December 31, 2022