Tucson victim Dorwan Stoddard's funeral set for Sunday
January 15th, 2011
06:47 PM ET

Tucson victim Dorwan Stoddard's funeral set for Sunday

A funeral service will be held for Dorwan Stoddard at 2 p.m. (4 p.m. ET) Sunday at Calvary Chapel East in Tucson, Arizona.

When a gunman opened fire at U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' meet-and-greet January 8 outside a Tucson supermarket, witnesses said Stoddard, a retired construction worker, was trying to shield his wife, Mavy, when he was shot in the head and fell onto her. Mavy was shot three times in her legs but is expected to recover.

Stoddard's daughter Penny Wilson, who wasn't at the event, told reporters last week that her mother has confirmed the account. "He heard the shots and covered my mom with his own body and protected her and saved her. Mom definitely felt that way," Wilson said.

Another daughter, Angela Robinson, said that Mavy didn't know she was shot until she arrived at the hospital with her husband. She is still recovering in the hospital.

The couple, who were childhood sweethearts, attended Mountain Avenue Church of Christ in Tucson. Dorwan helped those in need and was a handyman for the church, the pastor told CNN affiliate KGUN.

"Didn't write any books. There are no streets named after them. There is no monument to them, but their impact in the community of Tucson will last a lifetime," the Rev. Michael Nowak  said about the Stoddards.

"They were inseparable. You saw one and you knew the other one wasn't far behind. That will be a whole other life for her, so I'm afraid it will hit her harder down the road," Nowak told KGUN.

Tucson resident Jared Lee Loughner, 22, is facing federal charges in the January 8 attack.

 Post by:
Filed under: Arizona • Crime • Gabrielle Giffords
soundoff (58 Responses)
  1. Kathy

    RIP sir and paryaers and thoughts for your wife, family and loved ones

    January 15, 2011 at 10:00 pm | Report abuse |
  2. Kathy

    RIP Sir. Prayers and thoughts for your wife, family and loved ones

    January 15, 2011 at 10:01 pm | Report abuse |
  3. patricia lumaava

    Prayers are for the Stoddard family. What a great love story. He gave his life to protect her.

    January 15, 2011 at 10:03 pm | Report abuse |
  4. Line

    Prayers for the families that lost their loved ones in this awful massacre and for those that were wounded for their speedy recoveries. This young man needs prayer and needs JESUS in his life. Prayer for his parents too, for what they're going thru that their child turned out to have no regard for other human lives. We need to stop pointing finger at each other. All of us at one point or another make mistakes and have flaws too. No one is perfect in this life..

    January 15, 2011 at 10:06 pm | Report abuse |
  5. Guest

    I pray that every American child will learn about Dorwan Stoddard and his genuine love for His wife. With over 60% diverse rate, it is rare to see role models like Dorwan Stoddard.

    January 15, 2011 at 10:09 pm | Report abuse |
  6. Sees All Evil

    Lets never forget the lessons learned this week. lessons in true love, compassion, self sacrifice and heroism. God be With the victims thier families. the dead yet my faith tells me they are alive with Christ. And God bless America!

    January 15, 2011 at 10:31 pm | Report abuse |
  7. Tom

    With all due respect to the Congresswoman, I would like to see the media give updates on the health of ALL the victims of this horrific event.

    January 15, 2011 at 10:31 pm | Report abuse |
    • Kay

      I believe that are doing that for those victims and families that have agreed to it. My impression from some news articles is some victims have not authorized the hospital to talk about them nor have the victim or families granted interviews.

      January 16, 2011 at 12:55 am | Report abuse |
    • msvicki

      The congresswoman is getting the attention cause of who she is and it was her event that it occurred at. the other victims probably do not want to go public

      January 16, 2011 at 1:11 am | Report abuse |
  8. Mosel

    One word. . . . . Bittersweet.

    January 15, 2011 at 10:37 pm | Report abuse |
  9. Aaron

    People like this are the true heroes. Whether they give their lives for family or complete strangers, they deserve the respect of everybody.

    January 15, 2011 at 11:07 pm | Report abuse |
  10. kristy zapata

    get him for death penalty no one deserves to get shot in killed

    January 15, 2011 at 11:09 pm | Report abuse |
    • msvicki

      this guy is sick and it is too bad that he did not get the help he needed. he could have ended up shooting more people had he been able to load another clip

      January 16, 2011 at 12:43 am | Report abuse |
  11. Anna

    So sad for all this misery that a brainless animal created. I genuinely wish for all the 6 victims to rest in peace!. Praying for their families' healing.

    January 15, 2011 at 11:22 pm | Report abuse |
  12. Proud

    No monuments for him, no streets named after him. Maybe there should be.

    January 15, 2011 at 11:30 pm | Report abuse |
  13. Stephanie

    Mavey hes in heaven now, and hes at peace, someday u will be with him,my prayers for your speedy recovery,god bless u and your family

    January 15, 2011 at 11:33 pm | Report abuse |
  14. Really???

    I have all the respect in the world for Mr Stoddard's actions. He acted out of love to protect his wife. I am sure he will continue to protect her, until they are together again. May her faith in his continuing love help her through this time.

    January 15, 2011 at 11:57 pm | Report abuse |
  15. Guest

    He was truly a hero and a great American. Here are the links to two other stories of heroes from this shooting. http://socyberty.com/death/nine-year-old-shooting-victims-organs-save-a-life/

    http://socyberty.com/issues/heros-in-az-shooting/

    January 16, 2011 at 12:04 am | Report abuse |
1 2 3 4
« Back to main