C. Dorman Blaine

C. Dorman Blaine of Knoxville, age 84, died on December 13th, 2023. Dorman, affectionately known by many friends and family as “D-Man”, showed great courage and strength as he faced his recent illness. There is much delight that he has been reunited with his wife, Katherine Ann Gunter Blaine, and now resides in his permanent heavenly home. Dorman was born on March 19, 1939 in Ackerman, Mississippi to parents Hester and Ellen Coleman Blaine. At a young age his family relocated to Natchez, Mississippi, where Dorman made many life long friends. He attended Natchez High School where he was the starting center on the football team, ranked 1st in the state, and where he met his future wife. In the fall of 1957, Dorman enrolled at Mississippi State University to study engineering. He joined the Kappa Alpha fraternity and was an R.O.T.C. cadet. He graduated in 1961 with a degree in civil engineering. He and Kathie were married, and he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. Dorman then briefly worked for Chicago Bridge and Iron in Birmingham, Alabama before attending officer training school at Ft. Belvoir in Virginia. He was then sent to Ft. Benning, Georgia, where he was a company commander for the engineering battalion. Dorman and Kathie loved their Army years and the camaraderie it provided. Following his military service, Dorman and Kathie moved to Montgomery, Alabama where he worked for Blount Brothers Construction. Several years later they moved to Knoxville, Tennessee, where he became an estimator for Rentenbach Constructors. In 1969, he and Charlie Hays Jr. formed Construction Management Inc. The name later became Blaine-Hays Construction Inc. and the company became heavily involved in the construction of the 1982 World’s Fair in Knoxville and later the World’s Fair in New Orleans. In 1984, Dorman and Charlie started Merit Construction Inc. Merit eventually became an independent company in 1990, owned by Charlie Hays Jr., and Blaine-Hays became Blaine Construction Inc. Blaine Construction developed a reputation for quality and dependability. Whether it was a large or small project, Dorman always fostered relationships with clients and placed high priority on all jobs. Dorman always recognized that the value of the company stemmed from the high quality of its’ employees. He strived to create a family atmosphere within the company and cared deeply for all its associates. He loved nothing more than being on a job site with his much-valued project managers and superintendents. Blaine Construction has been involved in some of the most notable commercial, industrial, and institutional projects in East Tennessee and beyond for the past 54 years. In 2000, Yates construction, a Mississippi based company, purchased Blaine Construction and Dorman remained as President until 2014. Blaine Construction continues to stay ranked among the top construction service providers in the country according to Engineering News Record. Dorman was active in several professional organizations. He served as the Director and President of both the local and state Association of General Contractors. He served on the Knoxville and Oak Ridge Chambers of Commerce. He was a member of the 2008 Leadership Knoxville Class and in more recent years he received the Legacy Award from the Associated General Contractors. Dorman was especially proud to be involved with the Knoxville Catholic Diocese, where he served on the Finance Board and was involved in the Columbus Home. He took great pleasure in being a part of the development of the current Knoxville Catholic High School, where he sat on the Board of Trustees. Always a man with many hobbies and interests, he especially enjoyed his time fly fishing with his son, Alec. Throughout his life he also enjoyed reading, golf, snow skiing and spending many years with his family at his Hound Ears, North Carolina home. Dorman was a man of quiet faith but demonstrated his belief in Christ with his actions and treatment of others. He always considered himself to be tremendously blessed, surrounded by a family he loved and of whom he was so proud, and having been afforded the opportunity to successfully pursue the career of his dreams. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Kathie Gunter Blaine. He and Kathie were blessed with four children who all survive him. He had one son and three daughters, in order: Alec and Tammy Blaine, Melissa and Paul Harrison, Susannah and Peter Dunn and Mary Hannah and Taylor MacCurdy. He also leaves six beloved grandchildren: George and Blaine (Ellen) Harrison, Taylor and Sophie Blaine, Thomas Dunn and Sommers MacCurdy. The family would like to thank NHC Farragut, UT Medical Center, Dr. David Rankin, Dr. Andrew Russ, the Romeos Supper Club, and his many devoted friends. Services will be held on Wednesday, December 20th at The Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, with a visitation from 1-3pm followed by a funeral mass at 3pm. The interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Catholic Charities of East Tennessee or Knoxville Catholic High School in his memory. Online condolences may be made at www.rosefuneraltn.com

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C. Dorman Blaine

March 19, 1939 - December 13, 2023