Donald Dorris

Donald Wayne "Deacon" Dorris, age 83, loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away December 29, 2019, surrounded by his family. Don was born April 6, 1936 in Castor, Louisiana to Lloyd and Marie Dorris. A visitation and funeral service will take place at Liberty Baptist Church, 3075 Colquitt Road, in Shreveport, LA on Thursday, January 2, 2020. The visitation will begin at noon followed by a service at 1 pm. A graveside service will follow immediately afterward at Centuries Memorial Cemetery. The service will be led by the Pastor of Liberty Baptist Church, Bro. Kevin Arinder. Shortly after graduating high school in 1954, Don began work for AT&T. While working in New Orleans, Don met the love of his life, Carolyn, of Dothan, Alabama, on a blind date. Madly in love after that date, they married on June 27, 1959 just before he reported for military service. Don served in the US Army at Fort Hood in Texas before being stationed at Schofield Barracks in Honolulu, Hawaii. There, he and Carolyn started their family. After completing his service, they moved to Shreveport, Louisiana where he went back to work for AT&T until his retirement in 1989. Soon after retirement, he started Mid South Communications and consulted with AT&T on numerous projects over the years until he began battling leukemia. Don and Carolyn were charter members of Liberty Baptist Church. Don loved his church and his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He served his church and Savior continually. He helped build the buildings, taught Sunday School, served as a deacon, and served on many boards and committees over his 55 years with the church. His greatest treasures, however, were when many members of his family came to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Don also enjoyed working the family land in Castor, where he loved to go once a week and would always visit family and old friends. And for the last twenty years, he would meet weekly at 10 am with his coffee group at the Line Avenue McDonald's, which he commonly referred to as his "office." Don loved and adored his family. He was happiest sitting with his grandchildren, telling them his life stories and about the history that took place over his lifetime. He never missed a sporting event for his grandchildren. Even when he couldn't walk far, he would watch from his truck in the parking lot. Being with them was always fun and special to him. Don was a kind, patient, and well-respected man who never spoke badly of anyone. Though he was a man of few words, when he spoke, everyone listened. When he would speak of his children and grandchildren, his face would light up and a new "Don" would emerge. He was very proud of each of them. Don is preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Marie Dorris of Castor; his brother, Joe Edward Dorris; and his sister, Barbara Dorris Mills. Don is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Carolyn Dorris; son, Greg Dorris (Michelle); daughter, Beverly Dickson (Bickham); son, Bruce Dorris (Janice). His legacy continued through his grandchildren, Ashley Breaux (Brad), Mitchell Dorris (Haley), Will Dorris, Catherine Dickson, Kathleen Cush, Bickham Dickson IV, Denver Iles, Devon Iles (Marisa), Annabeth Dorris and Harper Dorris. Don also loved and cherished his great-grandchildren Ellie and Wyatt Breaux, Camden Randolph, Rose and Layne Iles. Additionally, he is survived by a brother, Dudley Dorris. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Dr. Richard Haynie and Dr. Tyler Lash for their care over several years. The family also wishes to thank the nursing staff on the 2nd floor of the Willis Knighton Cancer Center and the nursing staff on the 4th floor of Willis Knighton Pierremont for their care of Don over the last few weeks.