Emmett Eugene (Johnnie/John) Dory passed away unexpectedly at Banner Hospital in the early morning hours of Friday, September 6, 2024, at the age of 82. Emmett was born in Reno, Nevada on July 11, 1942, to Emma and Gene Dory. After the untimely death of his father Gene he resided in Austin, Nevada with his family, Emma and Marvin Gandolfo and his three siblings, Alleen, Francine and Buckey.
Austin was the perfect place for an adventurous and active boy like Emmett to grow up. Austin provided many opportunities for exploration in the surrounding hills, bike trips to Stoke’s Castle and the rodeo grounds, sledding on the snowy hills and backstreets of town. He enjoyed playing and exploring in the Lander County Court House where his grandfather, Frank Hammond, was the county sheriff. He was active in the youth group at St. George’s Episcopal Church going to various churches to meet and work with other youth groups. He belonged to the local Boy Scout troop which offered him, among other things, the chance to take camping trips to Kingston Canyon and the Big Creek campground area. While attending Austin High School he participated in student activities and sports. He worked at several local businesses while attending high school.
After graduating from Austin High School in 1960 he joined the Army and spent 3 years in Germany. Another chance for exploration and adventure there and in the surrounding countries. Returning to Austin after successfully completing a tour of duty he worked locally, this included helping to care for and move the rodeo livestock Marvin transported to many Nevada rodeos. He even dared to try to take a few eight second or less bull rides on some of that rank rodeo stock. He was active in the community as a member of the Austin Volunteer Fire Department, the Lion’s Club, as an ambulance driver, basketball referee and youth basketball coach. During this time in June 1967, he married Barbara Saralegui. A daughter Sheila joined the family and soon became his sidekick in many expeditions and adventures.
It was his employment with NDOT that gave him the chance for travel, for advancement and for making many new friends and renewing old acquaintances along the way. This work would eventually take him to Fallon, Nevada where he retired after a 30+ year career with NDOT. Residing in Fallon provided an opportunity for him to create more new adventures with family and friends, boating, camping, and fishing at Lahontan Reservoir and Pyramid Lake. However, his favorite new challenging adventure in Fallon was trying his hand at golf. He enjoyed this new endeavor; he especially enjoyed the friendships he formed with the other golfers and the tournaments they traveled to around the state.
He had hobbies and interests that included tying flies to use when fishing in the lakes and streams of northern Nevada, especially Groves Lake and the streams in Kingston. Another hobby was reloading ammunition for hunting in many areas of Nevada. He often took some of his extensive collection of cast iron cookware on the fishing and hunting trips in hopes of bagging something to cook in them.
He took classes to improve his lapidary and silversmithing skills and he was always searching for that perfect piece of turquoise to make a keepsake gift for a family member or friend.
Construction projects were another favorite pastime. One final gift he worked very hard to deliver was a sewing/craft/ hobby room for Barbara. Together (dba Geezer Construction) they transformed a large storage building into such a room.
He spent many happy hours watching football on television, he was looking forward to this new football season with the same optimistic hope he always had that the Raiders would come out on top.
But some of his very happiest hours were spent interacting with and enjoying his grandchildren Ethan and Ainsley.
Those who preceded him in death are Emma and Marvin Gandolfo, Gene Dory, and an infant sister Bonnie. He is survived by sisters Alleen Dory and Francine Clewell (Tom), brother Edward Gandolfo(Theresa), Barbara Dory his wife of 57 years, daughter Sheila Gorden(Forrest), grandson Ethan Gorden, granddaughter Ainsley Gorden, brother-in-law Spencer Saralegui(Pamela), numerous nieces and nephews and his little cat Girly all of whom love and will miss him very much.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Banner ER for their valiant efforts and their compassion.
A family viewing was held, a Celebration of Life will take place in Austin, Nevada at a later date. Final arrangements were entrusted to the Smith Family Funeral Home, Fallon, Nevada.