James Joseph Dorris

Retired Soap Lake Police Chief James Joseph Dorris, 48, of Soap Lake, WA died Friday, October 18, 2013 in Samaritan Healthcare in Moses Lake, WA. Jim was born August 18, 1965 in Seattle, WA to father James Rooney and parents Gloria (Westlake) and Lester Dorris.

Jim attended Liberty Bell High School and later joined the U.S. Coast Guard. After his Honorable Discharge, he attended the Police Academy and various college and training courses. He married Pamela Ann Jordan on September 14, 1996 in Seattle, WA. Jim lived in various areas throughout Washington State: Seattle, Winthrop/Twisp, Ballard, Everett and eventually settling in Soap Lake. Jim served the City of Soap Lake as Police Chief until retirement due to his deteriorating health; he also worked for Asko Processing, John Scalf Investigations/Security, and served his country in the U.S. Coast Guard, in addition, he was certified as a Certified Fire Arms Instructor. He loved riding his motorcycle, running the Soap Box Derby Race, fishing, camping, traveling, diving, and especially his family. Jim wanted to make a difference, he loved his community and thoroughly believed in community policing, and being there to be a "helping hand" and he tried to bring community involvement through his various activities and service. Jim was an active Scout Master for the Boy Scouts of America, and he started the Soap Box Derby which elicited national interest with his Boy Scout Troop. He enjoyed participating in the "Chief for a day" program with other Grant County law enforcement and fire agencies. He also served as a volunteer with the Soap Lake Fire Department. Jim was an ordained minister for our Lord Jesus Christ and his faith was vitally important to him.

Jim is survived by his beloved wife Pamela Dorris, son Kenneth Dorris, daughters Kristina Dorris and Tiffany Jordan-Forest and husband Winfred Charles Forrest III, Brittany Jordan and (future son-in-law) Daniel Baker; granddaughter Hailey James Forrest and grandson-on-the-way Ezra James Baker; his father James Rooney; sister Patty Dorris; brothers and sisters-in-law Nick and wife Linda Dorris, Les and Debbie Dorris, and sister Shirley Peterson; various aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins; his "2nd Mom" Wanda Fencl; special friends Mel Harder and his morning coffee family, and all of his Soap Lake community "Family".

He was preceded in death by his parents Lester and Gloria Dorris.

A Memorial Service to celebrate Jim's life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 2, 2013 in the Soap Lake Middle/High School Gymnasium with Pastor Paul Ellis, formerly from Bethlehem Chapel and Chaplain to Police Department, officiating. Military Honors will be provided by the American Legion and Military Funeral Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Dorris family c/o Pamela Dorris, P.O. Box 703, Soap Lake, WA 98851

Please share your memories of Jim and sign his online guest register at www.carverfamilyfuneralhome.com

Arrangements in care of Carver Family Funeral Home, Moses Lake.