Gerald “Buck” Lee Dosier, of Canton, IL, passed away at the age of 89 on January 3, 2025. He was born on September 9, 1935, in Browning, IL to Raymond and Helen Dosier. Both he and Claire McGee dropped out of high school to get married on December 22, 1952, in Macomb. IL. Claire passed away in November, 2022, a month shy of their 70th wedding anniversary.
From incredibly humble beginnings, Buck and his wife Claire carved out the American Dream in Canton, IL. Over the years, Buck worked in dairy delivery, as a military unit administrator, started a refrigeration business and finished his working days as a truck driver for Spoon River Electric Co-op. Always the worker, Buck delivered parts for the Canton NAPA store after he retired, but only part-time, which for him was about 38 hours a week. Buck served his country in the US Army Reserves, drilling mostly with the Canton unit, for over 40 years(!), rising to the rank of First Sergeant before going to Warrant Officer Candidate School and retiring as a Chief Warrant Officer 4. No one loved their country more.
Buck was an avid bowler into his 80s and while he was a lifelong Bears fan, he may have been more critical of them than most Packers fans. More importantly, Buck was well respected by everyone. He was an honorable man who treated others with respect and was admired and loved by everyone he met. He loved his wife dearly and commented often that he so looked forward to seeing her again.
He is survived by his twin sister, Shirley Kauffman, and his children Vicki Lowder, Brenda Anderson, David Dosier and daughter-in-law, Melody Dosier; five grandchildren (LeeAnn Dosier, Joshua Dosier, Lacie (Lowder) Sherman, Jacob Lowder and Noah Dosier); eight great-grandchildren (Katie Hughes, Jerry Lee Woods, Kenny West, Caiden West, Taylor Dosier, Mariah Dosier, Maci Dosier and Lucas Lowder) and two great-great-grandchildren (Gavin Hughes and Oaklynn Hughes). He was proceeded in death by his wife, Claire (1935-2022), and two sons, Thomas Neal Dosier (1964-1967) and Jerry Lee Dosier (1954-1990) and his sisters, Juanita May Dosier (1930-1944) and Helen Irene Graham (1928-2003).
There will be a celebration of life at the Canton Elks Lodge on Sunday, February 9, 2025, from 1:00-3:00pm.
The Cremation Society of Mid-Illinois Pekin/Peoria is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at csmico.com
To send flowers or plant a tree in memory of Gerald "Buck" Lee Dosier, visit the Tribute Store.
