James Fenton “Jim” Dorsam, 88, of Frankfort, IN, passed away July 7, 2025 at The Waters of Lebanon Retirement Home. He was born on March 7, 1937 in Frankfort to William Charles and Martha (Stevenson) Dorsam.
Jim was a 1955 graduate of Frankfort High School and served in the United States Marine Corps as a sniper. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Purdue University and Bachelor of Science in both Electrical and Mechanical Engineering from UCLA. He worked in the aerospace industry, initially for Hughes Space and Communications Group and then for McDonnell Aircraft Corp., both as aeronautical engineer. He was assigned to the Gemini Project, designing and building the Gemini Space Capsule interior for astronaut Gus Grissom. Finally, he joined Northrop Grumman, as an aeronautical engineer where he was assigned to the Apollo program and built the solid boost rockets. He developed the materials for the solid booster. Jim lived in Long Beach, California until his retirement when he moved back to the Frankfort area. Jim loved his family and enjoyed golfing, where he was known as “Slot”.
Surviving are his family whom he loved and adored, sister: Barbara Kroehle of Plano, TX, sister-in-law: Fran Dorsam of Frankfort, IN, brother-in-law: Bob (Debbie) Albano of Las Vegas NV, nephews and one niece: Thomas Pierce (Tracey) Kroehle Jr. and Jeff (Nadia) Kroehle, both of Plano, TX, Denise Day of Frankfort, IN, Bill (Sylvia) Dorsam of Rossville, IN, Chad (Kia) Albano of Noblesville, IN, and Cory (Kacee) Albano of Las Vegas, NV, great nieces and nephews: Shena (Billy) Ashmore, Ben Kroehle, Andrew (Natalie) Day, Abby Day, Ally Day, Zadie Albano, Anniston Albano, Cooper Albano, Landon Coates, and Lauren Coates, along with great-great nephews and niece: Easton and Owen Day, Liam, Pierce, and Eden Rose Ashmore.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister: Cathy Albano, brother: Ron Dorsam, and brother-in-law: Tom Kroehle.
A Graveside Service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Friday, July 11, 2025 at Green Lawn Memorial Park, Frankfort, IN, with Father Paul Cochran officiating. Friends may visit prior to the service from Noon – 1:45 p.m. on Friday at Archer-Weston Funeral & Cremation Center, 501 East Clinton Street, Frankfort, IN 46041. Memorial donations may be made in Jim’s honor to the Frankfort Community Public Library, 208 West Clinton Street, Frankfort, IN 46041 or the Frankfort Commons Golf Course, 50 North Park Drive, Frankfort, IN 46041. Please visit archerweston.com, where you may share a message with the family.