Harold Doss, also known by his nickname, Bitsy, passed away April 21, 2017 at age 78.
He was born November 6, 1938 in Decatur, Alabama. He grew up in Florence, Alabama where he graduated from Coffee High School. He then went to Vanderbilt University where he was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity.
Upon graduation, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant, having completed the Army ROTC program. In the fall of 1961, he married Elise Leonard of Birmingham. They started their married life at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and then lived in Darmstadt, Germany where he served with B Battery of the 21st Artillery.
Upon completion of his tour, he left the Army as a First Lieutenant and served in the Alabama National Guard for six years. Upon relocating to Birmingham, he worked for Thompson Tractor for 23 years.
In 1990 he founded Single Source Services. It rapidly grew into a comprehensive pre-employment screening business serving clients nationwide. Harold was a founding member of the National Association of Professional Background Screeners. In 2008 he sold his business to First Advantage Corporation. He was an active member of The Cathedral Church of The Advent for 51 years.
He served on the Vestry, was an usher, a sound system volunteer, a cook for Sunday breakfast, and a past chairman for the church picnic. He served on the City of Mountain Brook Planning Commission for eight years. He served on the board of Fellowship House, was a member of the Downtown Rotary Club, and a member of Mountain Brook Club. He thoroughly enjoyed playing golf with the Matthews Maurauders for close to 50 years.
He cherished his friends and his family. Most of all, he loved attending the activities of his grandchildren until his health diminished due to vascular dementia.
He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Harold Doss; mother, Mary Louise Coates Doss; and his brother, Joel Coates Doss.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Elise Leonard Doss; his son, Edmund Coates Doss (Kathleen); and his grandchildren, Edmund Coates Doss, Jr., Wirth Wellington Doss, Elise Louise Doss, and Hannah Grace Doss.
The family is grateful for the care given to him from Home Instead Health Care, the staff at Fair Haven, and especially to his devoted friend and caregiver, Bill O’Dell.
Visitation will be tomorrow at the Cathedral Church of the Advent at 1 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to The Cathedral Church of The Advent, 2017 6th Ave. North, Birmingham, AL 35203 or Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama, 300 Office Park Drive, Birmingham, AL 35223
