Raymond G. Doss

Raymond Gilbert Doss Raymond Gilbert Doss, 83, of Gardendale, Alabama, passed away unexpectedly but peacefully on January 1, 2014 doing what he loved – seated in the cab of a brand new Kubota tractor. He was born in Sardis, Alabama on October 23, 1930 to Kelly and Erah (Sharit) Doss. He married his loving wife, Bettie Marie Frock on August 9, 1952 and recently celebrated 61 years of a long, loving marriage. They had six children. He served in the US Army during the Korean Conflict. After his discharge, he opened and operated a gasoline and automotive repair business in Gardendale which he ran for 40 years. Upon retirement at 62, he decided to do what he really enjoyed, play in the dirt. He bought his first large landscaping tractor and started his second business, Doss Tractor Service. His tractor of choice was a big orange Kubota. This new career proved to be his greatest passion. He was a perfectionist with an exacting attention to detail. He was an honest, hardworking man who reveled in a good conversation with anyone. He loved and enjoyed his large close-knit family and wanted to share everything he had with them. He loved working with his hands particularly making wooden bench swings exclusively using scraps of pressure treated pine, his material of choice. He built one for all of his kids and family members. No two were ever alike as he used no pattern and built with love as he went along. He was an exceptional husband, father, and faithful friend. He loved life and brightened the day of anyone he met, making them feel like a lifelong friend. He loved to sing especially Southern Gospel music. Every Sunday morning he would wake up his children calling them to “Rise and Shine” along with the melodies of the Gospel Down South radio program. As a lifelong Baptist married to a Catholic wife, he raised a large family of Catholic children, lovingly instilling his strong faith and work ethic in his children. He is preceded in death by his parents, Kelly & Erah Doss, a sister, Eddie Beeland Belcher. He is survived by his loving wife Bettie, sister Loretta Doss Morton (Bill); six children: Steve Doss, Clint Doss (CeCe), Benny Doss (Sheila), Kelly Doss (Carla), Ramona Doss Caltagirone (Vince), and Regina Doss Hontzas (Pete); 20 grandchildren and spouses; 6 great-grandchildren with 2 on the way. A visitation will take place on Friday at 5:00 p.m. The family will also receive guests on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 4 at 10:00 a.m. with a funeral service to follow at 11:00 a.m. All services will take place at at Gardendale First Baptist Church North Campus, 316 Mountain Crest Parkway, Gardendale, AL. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in memory of Raymond Doss with checks made payable to Gardendale Miracle League Playground Fund, c/o City of Gardendale, P.O. Box 889, Gardendale, AL 35071

Tributes

Raymond G. Doss

October 23, 1930 - January 1, 2014