Most of you know Gunner was finishing up earning his auto tech degree at Mott Community College, and was thriving! He was always on the Dean’s List. He had dreams of opening his own auto repair shop someday. Before he was killed, he was working in the student run repair shop at MCC. He made some really fantastic friends while there, and was taught by truly amazing teachers that he loved. The one thing that really bothered him was that customers would get their vehicle problems diagnosed, but wouldn’t pay to have them fixed. They never got to actually fix the cars. In Gunner’s honor we’ve decided to partner with the Mott Foundation to start The Gunner Dortch Memorial Scholarship. With this scholarship, our hope is to use the funds to purchase used vehicles for all of the auto tech program students to be able to work on. We could help each student get the real life experience they need to join the workforce. Gunner would totally approve! We decided to do this instead of a cash award to one student since community college is now free to Michigan residents. We want his scholarship to be an endowment that funds it for life. One lump payment that is invested by The Mott Foundation, and grows over time. The earnings are then used to pay the scholarship.

To do this we need to raise $10,000. That is the minimum required. We will be able to personally donate a portion of that, but we are not sure what our total legal fees will be from Gunner’s court case.

The community has been so supportive of our family. You’ve donated to his celebration of life, sent condolences, said prayers, and helped keep memories of Gunner alive. If anyone can find it in their heart, and is financially able to do so, any donations to his scholarship fund would be appreciated. 100% of it will be invested with The Mott Foundation. We will try to make up the difference to reach our $10,000 goal.

Thank you so much for all of your support. It means the world to us!

The Dortch Family