ROMULUS - Ralph Dorroh, age 70, of Romulus, passed away June 21, 2006 at DCH Regional Medical Center. Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, June 24, 2006 at Magnolia Chapel Funeral Home North with Rev. Randy Raper, Rev. Donald Springer and Rev. Paul Peeples officiating and Magnolia Chapel Funeral Home North directing. Visitation will be tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gay I. and Almeda C. Dorroh, and brother, Bobby Dorroh. Survivors include his wife, Shandry Calhoun Dorroh; son, Joel Dorroh of Tuscaloosa; and brother, James Willard Dorroh of Florence.

 

Ralph was born April 30, 1936 in Lamar County but moved to Tuscaloosa County at an early age. He graduated from Tuscaloosa County High School and from The University of Alabama with a master's degree in Education. He taught at Montgomery High School, Northport Junior High School, and for 28 years at TCHS, where he also coached baseball and later worked with the Industrial Cooperative Training program. He was named Outstanding TCHS Alumnus in 1992.

 

Ralph was an avid sportsman and was one of the first landowners in West Alabama to become active in wildlife management. In 1987 he received the Conservation Educator by Tuscaloosa County Soil and Water Conservation District award. He also received other the Tuscaloosa County and Regional Wildlife Conservationist of the Year Award in 2002. His farm in Romulus received the Treasured Forest status in 1999. He was active in the North American Trap Collector Association and was one of the founding members of the Board of Directors of the North American Trap Collectors Museum.

 

Ralph was active in the Romulus United Methodist Church where he was certified lay leader and taught the adult Sunday school class for more than twenty years.

 

Pallbearers will be Bobby Walker, Herman Boyd, Scott White, Mallory Burkhalter, William C. Adams, Sr., Lewis Leatherwood, Clyde Leavelle and Scott Kelly. Honorary pallbearers are Honorable Scott Coogler, George Hartin, Rev. Fred Sealey, members of Romulus United Methodist Church, friends and neighbors of Romulus and surrounding communities, fellow TCHS teachers, Dr. Ross Vaughn and Dr. William Hill.

 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations be made to Romulus United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund c/o Ruth Plowman, 14350 Highway 140, Coker, AL 35452; or Hospice of West Alabama, 3851 Loop Road, Tuscaloosa, AL 35404.

 

Published in Tuscaloosa News on June 23, 2006

Shandry Elizabeth Calhoun Dorroh, of Buhl (Romulus), Alabama, born on April 11, 1936 (age 89), went to be with the Lord on September 23, 2025. She passed peacefully and was surrounded by her family.

 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Dee Ruffin Calhoun and Nettie Calhoun, siblings, Dorothy C. Farmer, Beatrice C. Watson, Betty C. Pate, James Calhoun, and Mae C. DeBardelaben, and her loving, devoted husband of 48 years, Ralph Dorroh.

 

Shandry is survived by one son, Joel F. Dorroh (Lynn Brooks) and her cherished granddaughter, Emma Lynn Dorroh.

 

Shandry was born near the Windham Springs community in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. She graduated from Tuscaloosa County High School in 1954 where she excelled at academics, was a majorette in the band, and most importantly, met the love of her life, Ralph Dorroh. She then attended the University of Alabama earning a B.S. in Education, graduating in only 3 years, all while working and paying her way through. Upon graduation from Alabama, Shandry and Ralph married on August 25, 1958, at which time both went to work for Tuscaloosa County Schools. Shandry first taught 5th grade at Northport Elementary until Vestavia Elementary opened where she moved to and taught 4th grade for the remainder of her 31 year teaching career. Shandry was genuinely loved by her former students, many staying in touch with her for the rest of her life.

 

She was a devoted wife to Ralph and they made a great couple, always working as a team. Whether it was the many years of working on their farm in Romulus, Alabama, raising their son, Joel, or traveling with friends and family, they were always a team, and we are all now sure that team is back together in Heaven. She will be missed by all that knew her.

 

Funeral arrangements will be handled by Magnolia Funeral Home North. The family will receive visitors wishing to pay their respects at Magnolia Chapel North on Friday, September 26, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. with the funeral to follow at 2:00 p.m.

 

The family would like to especially thank Patty Kelly, Jenni Strickland and Debbie Beck and their families, to all the Romulus Methodist Church family and to Dr. Ross Vaughn and Dr. Art Otero for all of the great care.

 

Pallbearers will be David DeBardelaben, Warren DeBardelaben, Jamie Dorroh, Scott Coogler, Johnny Gladney, Clyde Leavelle, Fred Sealy, and Russell Suchomelly.

 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Romulus Methodist Church or Hospice of West Alabama.