Page 102 - Southern Oregon Magazine Spring 2019

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DORRIS CONSTRUCTION

A son continues his father’s legacy of quality-built homes

VALERIE COULMAN PROVIDED BY DORRIS CONSTRUCTION

n the past four decades, Gary Dorris of Dorris Construction has recession of several years ago as a real defining moment. “The reces-
seen many trends, changes, and economic turns move through the sion had a huge impact on this valley,” he recalls, as many people in the
Iconstruction industry in the valley. building trades either retrained or moved out of the area, which left a
gap in the local labor force. Coupled with the fact that many schools
Dorris, an Ashland native, first started in the building industry as a cut their trade training programs, that portion of the industry has been
carpenter’s apprentice working alongside his father, Al Dorris, for four slow to come back. But while it might impact a project’s schedule,
years. When his father suddenly passed away, Dorris, at age 23, got his Dorris remains confident in people’s desire for well-built and energy-
contractor’s license and for over 40 years has been part of building, efficient homes.
remodeling and restoring homes and commercial spaces around the
Rogue Valley. Dorris’ first “green” home was built after a retired marine firefighter
approached him years ago, wanting to know if he was interested in
Like other construction company owners, Dorris describes the learning about more eco-friendly building. “It was such a success,”

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