Richard Franklin Dority

Richard Franklin Dority, 76, went into the presence of his heavenly Father on the evening of November 12, 2010.  He was at home on James Island, surrounded by his loving family singing praises to the Lord.  The Rev. Dority was born in Charleston, SC on December 28, 1933, the second of five children of Carroll Brunson Dority and Agnes West Dority.  His beloved wife of 53 years, Beverly Denny Dority, preceeded him into heaven in 2008.  He fell in love again, and is survived by his wife of 362 days, Star Callaway Dority.  Rev. Dority attended The College of Charleston and was graduated from Coker College in Hartsville, SC and The University of the South, Sewanee, TN.

Surviving Richard Dority are his dear children, Becky Dority, Elizabeth Ezell and husband Alan, Richard Dority, Jr. and wife Melissa, Zane Lake and husband Robbie, Jill Timmons and husband John, 12 grandchildren, and his siblings, Carroll Dority, Julian Dority, Edith Lucas and Thomas Dority.

Richard lived his life with unbridled passion in all things.  The joy of the Lord Jesus was his strength.  Characterized by boundless energy and a teachable spirit, he taught himself to do just about everything from carpentry to oil painting but he relied on "my coach, the Holy Spirit" for his inspiration and direction.

An untold number of people were touched by Richard's life, fulfilling what he wrote when asked why he wanted to go to seminary, "I love God and I love people and I just want to bring them together."  Dority served as a priest in the Episcopal Church from 1958-1987 in Summerton, Pinewood, Manning, Columbia, Darlington, St. James on James Island and St. John's (Oakland) in Charleston.  He founded James Island Christian Church to emphasize biblical principles without denominational traditions and to yield to the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit in our day.  He served in numerous ministries including James Island Christian School, Low Country Crisis Pregnancy Center, Kairos, Cursillo, Camp St. Christopher, Channel 4 TV ministry, personal counseling and more.  He preached in Russia in 1990, went on a mission trip to Nicaragua and helped with disaster relief in Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina. 

As a young man, Dority thought he had nothing to offer even though his high school picture held the caption, "From a tiny spark bursts a mighty flame."  He believed he was "the weakest clergyman God had ever chosen", yet once he was born again and baptized in the Holy Spirit, his life changed dramatically.  That's why, everywhere he went, people called him "my pastor".  He was indeed their counselor, teacher, shepherd and friend.

His visitation will be held in J. Henry Stuhr. Inc., Downtown Chapel, Monday between five and seven o'clock.  A celebration of his life will be Tuesday, November 16, 2010 at eleven o'clock in Ft. Johnson Baptist Church of James Island.  Interment, St. James Church, James Island.  Donations in his memory may be sent to the Low Country Crisis Pregnancy Center, Ft. Johnson Baptist Church or Lutheran Hospice.