James M. Doss Sr.

James M. Doss Sr., “Jim Sr.,” was born on February 19, 1930, in Apalachicola, Florida.  His father, Marshall Henry Doss, was born in Rome, Georgia.  Jim Sr.’s mother, Mercia Montgomery Doss, was also born in Apalachicola.  Jim Sr.’s father was a pharmacist, and he attained the position of second in command of the Florida Drug and Narcotics Agency.  Jim Sr. grew up in Jacksonville, Florida, and thoroughly enjoyed trips to his grandparents’ home, where he fished, hunted, and participated in sports.  Jim Sr. graduated from Landon High School and Bolles School.  He was a proud alumnus of Florida State University. Jim Sr. graduated with an economics degree in 1952.  Upon graduation, Jim Sr. completed Marine Corps officers’ training in Quantico, Virginia.

Jim Sr. was called upon to work at the Montgomery-Roberts departments stores. This was a family-owned and -operated department store with locations in  Bradenton, Sarasota, and St. Armands, Florida.  Jim Sr. began his lifelong real estate career in Manatee County at Wyman, Green, and Blalock Real Estate.  Jim Sr. possessed solid knowledge of the community, acquired through his numerous real estate transactions and appraisals.  As expansion and development increased in southwest Florida, Jim Sr. became involved in the “Right of Way” I-75 Land Use Corridor Project.  Jim Sr.’s expertise made him a frequent representative at Manatee County courthouse hearings.  Responsible land use as well as appropriate stewardship of property were essential considerations throughout Jim Sr.’s professional career.

Jim Sr.’s motto, “Work hard; play hard,” was fervently lived in the three communities he called home, Bradenton, Florida; Highlands, North Carolina; and New Orleans, Louisiana. The James M. Doss Sr. Charitable Foundation was founded after Jim Sr.’s passing on September 10, 2016.

The James M. Doss Sr. legacy provides grants to non-profit Catholic faith-based organizations, college athletics programs, and children’s health and human services agencies for the promotion of philanthropic goals and objectives.