Larry Frank Doss

November 9, 1942 – November 28, 2024

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of country gentleman and retired pharmacist Larry Frank Doss of Morris, Alabama. Born on November 9, 1942, in Birmingham, Alabama, Larry passed away on November 28, 2024, at the age of eighty-two, after a brief but courageously fought battle with a failing heart. He was surrounded by loved ones who will continue to honor his legacy and celebrate his life.

After a childhood in Morris, Larry graduated from Mortimer Jordan High School in 1961 as a decorated football player (Coach Strickland relayed that although he didn’t have much size, he was the best snapper he ever coached), he completed his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy at Samford University in 1967. In between these two milestones he served in the Army National Guard and convinced his high school sweetheart, Joanna Schnittker, to sneak away to Georgia and get married (this was probably the single smartest idea he ever had and was definitely his greatest accomplishment). He loved his hometown so deeply that he opened his own pharmacy in Morris in 1975 and continued to promote and support the community even after his semi-retirement in 2000.

The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Larry: swapping tall tales and cigars with lifelong friends, riding horses through the mountains of Nevada (or just the trails behind his hobby farm in Morris), watching college football games (at least when Alabama won), viewing old western movies from his childhood (he knew most of the dialogue by heart), building Lego models with his grandson (even when he had to rely on Krazy Glue to hold them together), or enjoying the fellowship at North Jefferson Church of Christ. He was devoted to his family, his friends, and his community. We were all blessed to have his quiet love and support throughout our lives.

Larry rejoins his father, Frank, and mother, Tressie, in God’s kingdom. He is survived by his wife, Joanna; daughter, Susan; son, Kent; daughter-in-law, Staci; grandson, Leo; brother, Jim (and wife Sandra); sister-in-law, Brenda McCormick (and husband Doug Reeser); brother-in-law, Rick Schnittker; sister-in-law, Pam Thompson (and husband Jimmy); as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, dear friends, Shooter (his horse), and Tipper (his dog).

Ceremonies will be on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at Rideout’s Gardendale Chapel located at 2029 Decatur Highway in Gardendale, Alabama. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. followed by Funeral Services at 2:00 p.m. Honorary pallbearers will be Richard Anderson, Jack Cabler, James (Sonny) Drain, Henry Gaulden, Garrett Green, Kip Green, Jerry Monosky, Joe Spivey, David Stewart, William Willis, and Robby Wood. Private graveside services for family will be at Morris Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in memory of Larry be made to North Jefferson Church of Christ (at PO Box 142, Morris, AL 35116), North Carolina Hurricane Relief (through the Church of Christ Disaster Relief Effort at www.disasterreliefeffort.org ), or the charitable organization of your choice.

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff of UAB Hospital, particularly the Palliative and Comfort Care Unit, for their excellent care, kindness, and compassion.

A visitation for Larry will be held Tuesday, December 3, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Ridout's Gardendale Chapel, 2029 Decatur Highway, Gardendale, AL 35071, followed by a funeral service from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM.