Columbia Basin Herald (Moses Lake, Washington)
~03 Nov 2006

Dorse Miles Oman (Pop) was born March 26, 1913, on a farm near Price, Utah, the twelfth child of Andrew Peter Oman (from Mt. Pleasant) and Celestia Draper Oman (from Moroni). Dorse grew up farming and ranching and continued ranching up Gordon Creek with two of his brothers when he was a young man.

Stories from these years entranced his children and grandchildren. Pop was in the first graduating class from Carbon College (now College of Eastern Utah) where he developed his talent for drama and singing. For many years he sang the tenor solos in the Messiah in both Price, Utah, Hermiston, Ore., and Moses Lake. Dorse sang in the Grand Coulee Stake quartet (sometimes known as the Hungry Four because they often sang for their supper as informal payment for their performance) in Moses Lake for over 45 years.

Demar Duval, Marv Vernon and Sheldon Law have remained lifelong friends of the Oman family. Dorse (Pop) was still doing musical performances in church programs well into his 93rd year. After graduating from Carbon College, Pop attended American University on a scholarship. He was accepted to Julliard School of Music but World War II broke out and precluded that option. For his service during the war he was the head linesman for the survey crew of the Army Corp of Engineers in Alaska and the Yukon Territory. The very survey they accomplished later became the Trans-Alaska Railroad (Alaska Railway).

For several years he had his own program on KOAL radio in Price, where he sang. For several years he played clarinet and saxophone in a dance band that performed all over central Utah. He was also a passionate reader. His personal library numbered over 10,000 volumes. Dorse was a lifelong pillar of the Latter-day Saints Church. He served a mission to the Central States Mission where he was the district president for the state of Arkansas. He was also in a traveling missionary vocal quartet. He served in a branch presidency in Hermiston, Ore., taught and was principal of the LDS early morning seminary, senior president of the 101st, quorum of the Seventy, high priest group leader, Sunday school and priesthood teacher, scout leader, high council and the stake leadership of the Grand Coulee (Moses Lake), Washington Stake. He was a student of the gospel and had a large library of classics in Mormon history and theology.

After leaving the world of a full time farmer and rancher Pop became a State Farm Insurance agent in Moses Lake for over 25 years. But he continued his passion for growing things. He and his sons cleared land for a farm. He loved to garden and plant fruit and nut trees. In 1951 he married Margaret Della Call Oman. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple. In their senior years they moved back to Utah and settled in Sandy so they could be closer to their family. They also had a home in Midway where Dorse and Margaret could be closer to their beloved mountains. They had five children, including Samuel Ray Oman (Provo); Richard George Oman (Salt Lake City); David Miles Oman (Sandy); Paul Bryan Oman (Farfax, Va.); and Diane Celeste Oman (deceased). Diane was born with Down syndrome. Dorse and Margaret dedicated their lives and energy to reaching out to the handicapped and the dispossessed. Together they spearheaded educational services for the mentally handicapped in the state of Washington. Pop also leaves 13 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Earl Oman, Inez Oman Critchlow, George Oman, Ann Oman, Clara Oman Milner, Rae Oman Cady, Clyde Oman, Addie Oman Abrams Simons, Milton Oman, Odell Oman, and Elma Oman Klitgaard.

His warm personality and gentle humor will be missed. His total integrity and faith will continue to inspire all who knew him. He passed away peacefully while sitting in his reclining easy chair listening to an opera on KBYU.