Skydiving has lost one of the pioneers of the sport. Gary Douris passed away today after an extended battle with cancer. Gary was a skydiver, ATP, JM, Instructor, master rigger and manufacture. He managed the legendary Elsinore DZ during the 60’s and 70’s. He was a Marine for 12 years and during 2 tours in Viet Nam was awarded the Sliver Star, the Bronze Star with Combat “V” and 2 purple hearts. The lights that once burned so bright keep flickering out. Sad.
Very sad. Gary always had a minute to stop and talk with me at Perris or Elsinore, always passin one of those golden nuggets of knowledge that are so easily lost..... BSBD.
I had the pleasure of jumping with Gary Douris in the summer of 1967 at the old Amherst SPC and Frontier Skydivers...he was C3617 at that time. Had the odd e-mail to and from over the years but nothing lately. We have indeed lost a good one!
Sorry for your loss, Sparky! It's sad to lose another of the great ones in our sport. I never jumped at Elsinore (during the 70's), but it was the place all of us wanted to jump at someday....
Gary was very good at striking the right amounts of both fear and inspiration to flailing students like me. He did a lot for Elsinore, the Perkins, and all of us, including those who never met him.
In case you haven't heard, the Gary Douris Memorial Tribute will be Saturday November 14 at Skydive Elsinore.
The organizers have gone 'all out,' and this is really going to be quite a memorable event.
All Friends of Gary are welcome, of course, but if you do plan to attend, you should RSVP to the organizers, so they can get a head count. (PM me if you need contact info.)
Here is what I know so far: Gary's friends will be fun jumping all day. The ashes dive is going to take off before 4:00 and the the aerial display, fly-by, taps, etc. will take place right before sunset The memorial event follows that, and then stories galore, along with food & beer & etc.
