Fred Andrew Dorris

Fred Andrew Dorris passed away at his home in the early morning on October 27th, 2024 at the age of 96. Fred spent is final days surrounded by the love and care of his family.

Fred Andrew Dorris was born in Oakland, California on December 31st, 1927 to Christine Haun and George Dorris. He spent his young years with his brothers, Louie, Dick, and Don, playing, hunting, and in general roughhousery amongst giant redwood trees in Northern California. World War II was at the center of Fred’s childhood and adolescence, and played a significant role in his actions and choices for years to come. He shared stories of victory gardens, scrap metal collection, rations, stamps, and most importantly to him, model making. Fred spent much of his time as a teenager making exact scale model airplanes to be used as identification practice for American troops around the world. He recalls doing what he could until he could serve. Fred qualified via the Eddy Test to join the United States Navy at 17 and ½ years old as a 1st Class Seaman. Fred left for the Great Lakes Naval Training Station in Green Bay, Wisconsin in the summer of 1945 where he completed electronics school. From there he traveled to the advanced school at Treasure Island in San Francisco. Fred received orders to report to Pearl Harbor via USS Sterlet, SS-392, and it was on that journey he had his first experience under the sea aboard the USS General Randell (AP-115). Fred served at Pearl Harbor until transferred to the SS Besugo, SS 321. In 1947 Fred boarded the USS Yancky, AKA-93 and sailed back to Fortuna and was discharged from the Navy.

Fred’s first marriage gave him two sons, Steven and Robert Dorris. Fred supported his family through working as Resident Engineer on many jobs up and down Route 101 from 1963-1976. Fred married his “sweetie” Georgiana in November 1963. He became father to his third son, Mark Dorris in 1964. Fred moved his family back to Fortuna again after being here and there for jobs over the past years. Fred retired from the State of California job after 36 years. After retirement, Fred found himself back in the career for Mercer Fraser where he went from paving foreman to Chief Engineer over the next 15 years before retiring again.

In later years Fred and Georgie moved to Stayton, Oregon where he could be close to Mark and his family and where he would spend the rest of his life. As he always had before, Fred continued his time devoted to his family, sharing his love, help, and knowledge with all. Being loved by Fred Dorris was one of the largest blessings life could offer.

Fred was a jack of all trades and a man of faith. He tended fire lines as a teenager. He went hunting on the weekends at Ruth’s Duck Club with his Ithica Model 37 and brother Louie. He spent time underwater in submarines in World War II and free diving for abalone. There are stories of cutting Christmas trees in Oregon and a fake Swedish wedding. Fred drove his 1959 Corvette and piloted a Cessna 170B. He spent time supporting his local Baptist Church as a deacon and brother in Christ. He was an expert model maker, even authoring a book about the specifics of the craft. Somehow, between it all, Fred lovingly brothered, parented, grandparented, and great-grandparented. He lived such a full and fantastical life.

Fred is survived by his wife, Georgiana Dorris; sons, Mark, Steve, and Robert Dorris; daughter-in-laws Monica and Marcy Dorris; grandchildren, Maggie and husband Wes Hitchko, Molly and husband AJ Bogdanović, Griffin Dorris, Robert Dorris, Sasha and husband Ben Graham, and Drew Dorris; great-grandchildren Luka Bogdanović, Macie Graham, and Ashlee Graham; and brothers Dick Dorris and Don Kemp.

Fred was preceded in death by his mother Christine Haun; father George Dorris; step-father Frank Kemp; grandmother Pearl Haun; and brother Louie Dorris. Fred shared that memories of them kept them alive, and the memory of him shall do the same to all of us left after him.