Warren Dorn, former fifth district supervisor with the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors from 1956 to 1972, has died after suffering from pneumonia. He was 87.

He died early Tuesday morning at the Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center in San Luis Obispo.

He worked as a school teacher and as a Realtor before entering his long career in politics in 1949. He served as mayor for two terms for the city of Pasadena until 1956 and then served three terms as a supervisor. After leaving Los Angeles County he moved to Morro Bay, serving as the city's mayor from 1980 to 1984.

While Dorn was a county supervisor, he pursued strict enforcement of air pollution standards and helped to establish two airports — Brackett Field and the William J. Fox Airfield. He was also a supporter of the Santa Clarita Valley.

"He was a great supporter of the SCV, especially during the valley's formative years," said Tony Newhall, former publisher of The Signal.

Former Santa Clarita City Councilwoman Jo Anne Darcy said she first met Dorn while serving as the president of the Acton Chamber of Commerce.

"I had high respect for him," Darcy said. "He was a nice man, very friendly."

Morro Bay resident Bobbie Trueblood Davis was an activist in the Santa Clarita Valley during the period Dorn served as a supervisor.

"I first knew him when my father-in-law owned The Signal," Davis said. "My father in-law, even though he was a Democrat, he liked Warren.

"When our city started expanding, it was quite a small place. That's when he first started as supervisor."

Dorn was a conservative Republican who succeeded Roger Jessup for the seat. He lost re-election in 1972 to KABC newscaster Baxter Ward, a Democrat.

"He was a warm man and I remember when he was running against former newscaster Baxter Ward for supervisor," Newhall said. "As the incumbent, (Dorn) used to donate a lunch to the Boys Club Auction. Well, during the auction, Baxter Ward shows up to the event and bids on Warren's lunch. I guess, fortunately, Baxter was outbid."

Fifth District Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich adjourned Tuesday's meeting of the Board of Supervisors in Dorn's memory.

In a statement, Antonovich called Dorn "a treasured friend and supporter who cared deeply about the people he served."

Born in Pasadena on Sept. 19, 1918, Dorn attended high school in Pasadena as well as Pasadena City College. He graduated from what was then called Santa Barbara State College in 1941.

Besides his wife and son, Dorn is survived by a daughter, Jennifer, and a second son, Robert, as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A funeral is scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday at St. Timothy's Catholic Church in Morro Bay.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.