Gary Dorris grew up in the small coal mining town of Zeigler in Southern Illinois. The town and School libraries held numerous volumes favorable to Lincoln, but also had books critical of Lincoln's actions during the Civil War. Dorris studied both perspectives and developed a life-long admiration of Lincoln. Dorris graduated from Southern Illinois University in 1964 and was commissioned as an Air Force Officer. He left active duty in 1970 as a Captain and moved to Spokane, Washington where he began a long career in banking and finance. He relocated to Scottsdale, Arizona in 1986 and later became the President of a bank holding company. Gary retired in 2008 and still lives in Scottsdale with his wife Kay, his high school sweetheart who he married in 1964.

Mr. Dorris can be reached at: gadorris2@gmail.com