Doug Dorris

Doug Dorris

July 25, 1950  - January 19, 2022

As is the case with most great teachers, Doug was an avid learner. This began when he was a child learning from his dad and grandparents. Doug earned a degree in agriculture in 1972, followed by studies in drafting.  Then he switched gears and attended Ozark Bible College and Wheaton Theological Seminary of Lincoln University, where he studied criminology and criminal justice.

Doug was born on July 25, 1950, the second of three children, to Milton and JoAnn Dorris. Douglas Arthur was named for each of his grandfathers and cherished his relationship with them, carrying their names with pride. Each of his parents had four siblings, and they and their children were always an important part of his life.

Doug married Anne Louise DeWelt in 1974. In ‘79 Lucinda Marie made them parents, and in ’81 Joella Louise brought even more joy to his family. They welcomed Helen and Lindsey, foster daughters, into their home.  Many others also made their home with the Dorris family, including newly released inmates. Eventually, he added to his prison ministry by opening the Sonrise House, where former inmates could reacclimate to life outside of prison. Doug was always a hard worker growing up farming and ranching.  Then as a teenager he learned to shingle roofs for the low-income church members. Once he met his Lord and Savior he started preaching.  For his first sermon, he read 1 Corinthians 13 aloud and did not comment, if you can believe that! Allowing the Lord to guide through His Word, Doug continued to grow as a preacher, teacher, mentor, and leader.

Doug founded the Prison Ministry in Missouri in 1980. The next twenty years in Jefferson City, Missouri were full of ministry and outreach. Doug worked not only with the inmates across Missouri, but with many families of the incarcerated providing housing as well as operating a food pantry. In 2000 Doug began work with a prison in Winfield, Kansas. After leaving that position, he transitioned to regular church ministry. He served in Atlanta Kansas, DeQueen Arkansas, Tyler Texas, Laverne, Cleo Springs, and Medford, Oklahoma, just to name a few. Doug’s passion for sharing the word of the Lord never wavered.

Doug is survived by his daughters, Lucinda and Joella; son-in-law, Jason; his grandson, Aiden; granddaughters, Serenity and Iris; his sister, Twila Bright, and many cousins; nieces, and nephews.

Memorial service for Doug will be Saturday, January 22, 2022 at 1:30 p.m. at Driftwood Christian Church.  Arrangements are by Lanman Funeral Home, Inc. of Cherokee.  www.lanmanmemorials.com  Facebook: Lanman Funeral Home Inc.

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