Timothy Gordon Doss

Timothy Gordon Doss was born on April 27, 1950, and left us too soon on September 21, 2026. Born in Ventura, California, to Frank and Janice Doss, he was a son of the Greatest Generation, and that left an indelible mark on his life. He carried his roots with him his entire life, and they shaped the man that he became.

While Tim’s early years were spent in San Bruno with his younger sister, Jane, he spent most of his time growing up in Modesto. While at Thomas Downey High School, he distinguished himself as a tennis player and a thespian. In the role of King Arthur, he discovered a love of music and theater that remained with him the rest of his life. Tim took his passion for tennis along with him to Modesto Junior College and to the University of California, Berkeley, where he graduated with a degree in Rhetoric. His time at Berkeley was pivotal, both for him and for the country. Amidst a turbulent time, lifelong friendships were made, and a new family was formed. Tim married his first wife, Margaret Gant, and became a father while still a student-athlete. He would leave the Bay Area for the first time after a short stint living in Oakland. Eventually returning to Modesto, he began the next chapter of his life.

Tim dedicated more than fifty years to his career as a property tax specialist, becoming a pioneer in his field. He worked for the Stanislaus County Assessor’s Office after returning to Modesto and built a reputation that would precede him. As a single father to three daughters, Kelly, Elizabeth, and Kathryn, Tim would meet the love of his life, Tamara Blake. Newly married, he returned to the Bay Area and eventually formed his own company in San Francisco. Tim drew a team of dedicated professionals together to build a successful and thriving business that his beloved son, Ian, continues today. A baseball fan his whole life, having box seats for Giants games was a huge thrill. Tim spent countless evenings at the ballpark with his son. Tim would later return to the Central Valley and lived in Merced until the end of his life.

Outside of work, Tim had a passion for living life fully. He enjoyed golf, entertaining, cooking, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. Together with Tamara, he built a home full of love, laughter, and large gatherings. He never tired of bringing people together and entertaining them with a story. He had a larger-than-life personality and was always the best-dressed man in the room. His humor, enthusiasm, impeccable style, and zest for life will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Above all, Tim treasured his family. He was married to his beloved wife, Tamara Doss, for more than forty years. Tim is survived by his four children: Kelly and George Shoemaker, Elizabeth Doss and George Yuen, Kathryn Doss, and Ian and Elena Doss. He leaves behind his adored grandchildren: Aliena and Keynan Nu’Ulani, William and Savannah Shoemaker, Faith and Charlotte Yuen, Zane and Hope Wheeler, and Parker, Sienna, and Ford Doss. Tim is also survived by his sister, Jane Doss, and her partner, Kym High. Tim’s last years were also spent in the company of Freddy, his faithful sidekick.

Tim leaves behind a long legacy. He lived life to the fullest, never met a stranger, and loved us well. If the measure of a man can be seen in his friendships and loved ones left behind, Tim will not be forgotten.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, November 6, from 2:00–5:00 p.m. at The Vista Ranch in Merced, California, located at 7326 E. CA-140, Merced, CA 95340.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Tim’s memory to the Junior Golf Association of Northern California (JGANC), an organization dedicated to providing young people with opportunities through golf while promoting sportsmanship, character, education, and lifelong friendships.