John Yeary Doss

We regretfully share news of the sudden passing of John Yeary Doss, Wednesday October 19, 2022 after a recent diagnosis of Leukemia in mid-September. His final month was spent in the constant company of his family, and the compassionate care of his medical team at St David’s Hospital. He is survived by his wife of forty-two years, Barbara Doss, his children: Aaron Doss, Elly Doss (Jeff Fleegal), Elizabeth Doss (Ryan Martin), Matthew Doss (Jackie), and Emily Doss (Will Aldredge), his grandchildren: Jack and Ava Doss, Suzanna Fleegal (Jeff Pugh), Bobby, Brian, and Mack Fleegal (Alexis Huerta), Adan, Alan, and Alison Doss, Bronwyn and Aubrey Doss-Martin, his great-grandchildren: Isla Fleegal and Hazel Pugh, and his siblings: Nancy (Rob) Sheplor, Andy Doss and Sheba (Mike) Macias.

John was born the third of five children in Abilene, Texas to Aubrey Knight and Mary Jane Doss August 22, 1952. Growing up, he held an unending curiosity for the natural world, always inspecting unusual rocks, searching for arrowheads, and catching every non-venomous reptile he could find. Once, he and his brothers set up a roadside stand where they sold horny toads instead of lemonade. John was as studious as was adventurous; At age seventeen, he loaded a small pick-up truck with a chest of drawers and moved to Austin, Texas where attended the University of Texas. He graduated as a member of both Phi Beta Kappa and the National Honors Society with bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and Economics. He also avidly studied Latin, philosophy and geology, and retained what he learned in those courses his entire life.

Upon graduating, John taught middle school history before ultimately choosing a career path that led outdoors. It was then that he began working as a carpenter, contractor and artisan builder using skills he’d learned from his grandfather, who’d come from Wisconsin to West Texas for long visits, and whom John revered. When John was reintroduced to Barbara on a construction site, they were instantly at home with one another; their families had known one another for generations and this deep connection meant a great deal to them both. They married among the peacocks at Mayfield Park and began building a house in the country where they raised their six children and lived together the rest of their lives. John’s small but steadily prosperous business would sustain him and his family through thick and thin. In and around Austin and the hill country, he built and remodeled many homes, turning countless clients into lifelong friends, who valued his intellect, honesty and quality craftsmanship.

As a craftsman, a poet, and a naturalist, the breadth and depth of John’s many interests comprised the fullness of his life. He loved literature, and had memorized many passages from Poe to Shakespeare, and also composed his own poems. He took great delight in reciting these works around the dinner table to friends, family or anyone who would listen. For nearly forty years, he belonged to Holy Spirit Epsicopal Church of Dripping Springs where he sang in the choir, took part in the mens’ group, served on the vestry, the building and bishop’s committees and made many enduring friendships. In his truck or at this side, John always had a German Shepherd to keep him company. In addition to these loyal companions, he loved his thirty acres and knew every plant and animal species (in Latin) that lived there with him. He listened for screech owls, kept an eye out for deer, roadrunners and cottontails as this communion with wildlife so wholly enriched his own.

John was deeply proud of his family, and heartily championed each ambition his children and grandchildren pursued. From soccer games and wrestling matches, to dance and music concerts, from theatrical productions to art shows, John found much joy in the vibrant lives of his offspring. In the later years of his life, he took much pleasure in late lunches and long conversations with friends and family. His daily rituals included walks on his land with his wife and dogs, Dusty and Sheba, reading westerns and talking at length to loved ones about all the many facets of life that fascinated him. John’s deep love and fervent loyalty will be forever remembered and held dear by those who knew him well.

John is preceded in death by his parents, his younger brother Bill Doss and his youngest son Evan Doss.

A memorial service honoring John’s life will be held November 19, 2022 at 11am at the Holy Spirit Espiscopal Church 301 Hays Country Acres Rd, Dripping Springs, TX 78620

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made In John’s name to the Nature Conservancy, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, or the Holy Spirit Espiscopal Church of Dripping Springs