Harold Lewis Dorn

Highlands, NC - Harold Lewis Dorn, 96, died on March 5, 2013 in Hospice care at Highlands Hospital. He had been living at Chestnut Hill Retirement Center since May 2009 after a serious accident.

Born on 12/27/1916 in South Miami, FL, he was the eldest child of Harold Wesley & Mabel White Dorn, South Dade County pioneers who moved there from Chicago in 1913. From 1947 they were Highlands summer residents.

Graduating from the University of Miami in 1941, Lew went into the US Navy at the beginning of World War II. He was a Naval Intelligence Officer on the flagship Enterprise in the Pacific Theater during most of the war and advanced to the rank of Commander. After the war, he continued in the Naval Reserve until retiring as a Captain in 1982. At that time he moved his residence from Miami to Highlands, next door to the family summer cottage.

During his earlier years, Lew worked at his father’s tropical fruit shipping company. Afterward, he had a varied career reflecting his many interests: In the 1960’s he was involved with the Dade County Youth Fair; during the 1970’s he was Director of the Museum of Science in Miami. He was also the founder & editor of The Village Post, a local South Miami editorial & cultural weekly newspaper. He later worked for Joe Hill Nursery in the plant nursery trade. He was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity, the Kiwanis Club in South Miami, and was a Mahi Shriner. His life long hobbies included tropical plants, reading, politics, Oriental collectibles and classical music.

After moving to to Highlands, he was employed by his friend Ralph deVille at The Stone Lantern for over 25 years, retiring after his accident at the age of 92. Always active, his extra curricular activities in Highlands included a position as Co Chair of the Local Chapter of the Western North Carolina Alliance in the 1980’s. And true to his appreciation of classical music, he was a founding member of the Highlands Chamber Music Festival. Lucas Drew, the founding director, was quoted as saying "Lew was a loyal supporter of the Chamber Music Festival from its earliest concerts. He helped in so many ways, from putting the program together to ticket sales. He was a true music lover."

Lew was also a member of the Highlands United Methodist Church where a celebration of his life will take place on March 9, 2013.

He was preceded in death by his parents; 2 brothers, Philip & Kenneth of South Miami, an aunt, Mary Wheeler Dorn of South Miami and Highlands, and a niece, Katherine Dorn Evans of Dahlonega, GA. He is survived by a sister and long time summer resident, Alice Dorn of Central, SC; nieces, Pamela Dorn Brown of Highlands, Kristin Davenport Koepenick, Decatur, GA & a summer resident; cousins Suzanna (Norman) Mosely of Highlands, and Robert (Evy) Buzzell of Groton, MA, also a summer resident. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and other cousins in GA, CT, FL & WA.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to: The Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival, PO Box 1702, Highlands, NC 28741, Highlands United Methodist Church Bolivian Mission, PO Box 1959, Highlands, NC 28741, Cashiers- Highlands Humane Society, PO Box 638, Cashiers, NC 28717 or to the charity of your choice.

Bryant Grant Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences are available by visiting bryantgrantfuneralhome.com or by email.