Richard Doss Cleveland passed away peacefully on the night of February 6, 2023, in Fairhope, Alabama. Doss was born on March 27, 1959, in Birmingham to Doss and Mary Alice, who raised him alongside his two brothers, Bob and Ken, in Dothan.

Doss graduated with honors from The University of Alabama in 1981 and The University of Alabama School of Medicine in 1985. Upon graduating medical school, Doss completed his training in general surgery at Carraway Hospital in Birmingham. It was during this time that Doss became reconnected with his former high school and college classmate, Florrye, and the two married in 1988. In the following years, they welcomed their three children, Mary Katherine, McKay, and Doss, III.

Doss practiced as a general surgeon in Dothan at Flowers Hospital before returning to Birmingham to complete a fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery at UAB Hospital. He enjoyed a fulfilling and successful career as a cardiothoracic surgeon at the Norwood Clinic in Birmingham and Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital in Florence. Doss felt fortunate to have shared the mutual respect and admiration with the people who worked with him in the medical community.

Upon retiring from practicing as a physician, Doss and Florrye moved to Fairhope, where he enjoyed the remainder of his days. Doss’s greatest joy was the time he spent with his family and his friends, and he loved nothing more than playing golf, sitting on his back porch with his dogs, Wilson and Charlie, taking the golf cart with Florrye to watch the sunset over Mobile Bay, and spending Saturdays in the fall watching the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Doss was preceded in death by his parents, Doctor Richard Doss Cleveland, Sr. and Mary Alice Smith Cleveland. He is survived by his wife, Florrye Ann Smith Cleveland; his children, Doctor Mary Katherine Cleveland Saltzstein (Teddy), Florrye McKay Cleveland, and Richard Doss Cleveland, III; his granddaughter, Ella Katherine Saltzstein; and his brothers, Doctor Robert Smith Cleveland (Kathy) and Doctor Kenneth Edwards Cleveland (Nicole).

A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 11, 2023, at The Grand Hotel’s Julep Point at 2:00 PM with visitation to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the ALS Association at https://donate.als.org/give/287064/#!/donation/checkout?c_src=jumppage.

Expressions of condolence for the family may be made at www.hughesfh.com. Hughes Funeral Home, 26209 Pollard Road, Daphne, AL, is assisting the family.