Anchorage, Alaska – Long time Alaskan and Anchorage resident, Jimmie Lee “Jim” Doss, age 85, passed away November 9, 2022, at Providence Medical Center from congestive heart failure.
He was born November 28, 1936, in Coffeyville, Kansas to John Chester and Louella Doss (DeBerry). The family moved to Duluth, Minnesota when Jim was 10 years old. He graduated from East High in 1954, attended the University Minnesota Duluth (UMD) for three years but dropped out to earn tuition money and received a draft notice. He joined the US Navy serving from 1956 to 1958. After his honorary discharge, he left Duluth to follow two former classmates, Bob Wilkie and Ernie Jaap to Anchorage in 1959. It was Jim’s goal to work that summer to earn enough money to finish school at UMD, but instead, Alaska became his forever home.
His employment started as a bull cook working for Universal Services near Yakutak. There, he met his first wife, Jean Conover, a flight attendant for Cordova Airlines. After they married and settled in Anchorage, he worked as a ticket agent for Pacific Northern Airlines and had two children, Steven in 1962 and Cynthia in 1965. They moved to Juneau and he again worked for Universal Services as the Port Steward. He was responsible for the Stewards Department on the Ferries of the Alaska Marine Highway System. Jim was part of the crew that went to Sweden when the State of Alaska purchased the Wickersham.
In 1970, they moved back to Anchorage and Jim entered the real estate profession, first with Jack White Company, then broker of his own company, moved to and licensed in the State of Washington for a few years. He came back to Anchorage and was an Associate Broker with RE/MAX Properties in Anchorage and RE/MAX Dynamic Properties. Jim was passionate about two things, softball, and golf. He played on the Club Paris Softball team with games played on the Park Strip and in many golf tournaments over the years. As a young man, he was a two-time past Master Councilor of DeMolay, as a seasoned real estate broker, he achieved the RE/MAX Hall of Fame and in later years became a member of Pioneers of Alaska, Men’s Igloo No. 15, serving as historian for two years.
Jim is survived by his current wife, Gerene Tuttle, son Steven (Dana) Doss of Campbell, California, daughter Cindy (Steve) Hill of Anchorage, Stepsons Greg (Juanita) Tuttle of Billings, Montana, Geoff Tuttle of Sweden and grandchildren Lauren (Paul) Passaretti, Tyler (Lexie) Doss, Casey Hill, Natasha Hill, Shelby (Nicholas) Erickson, Flynn Tuttle, Chloe Tuttle, Madilyn Tuttle and many friends in Alaska and classmates from Duluth.
He is predeceased by his parents and his special little fur pals Lucy and Abby, beloved Cairn Terriers.
A celebration of life is being planned for after the first of the year and a military honor guard graveside service at the Anchorage Cemetery Pioneers of Alaska section will be held in late spring.
