Thomas Edwin Doster, III of Birmingham passed away on July 2, 2024 at the age of 82 surrounded by his loving family. Thomas was born in Birmingham, Alabama to Thomas Edwin Doster, Jr and Grace Jordan Doster. He graduated from Shades Valley High School and attended the University of Alabama where he majored in Industrial Engineering and lettered in Baseball. He served his country in Vietnam in the 173rd Engineering Corp and Airborne Brigade as a Platoon leader. He received a National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

In 1969 Thomas founded Doster Construction Company, Inc. in his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama. The new company began as a one-man show but quickly grew with the award of projects at the University of Alabama and Carraway Methodist Medical Center. Through his dedication, vision, and leadership the company increased and gained a reputation for excellence in commercial, education, healthcare, hospitality, industrial, and multifamily construction. Doster has built more than 4300 projects in 33 states and has consistently been ranked in Engineering News Record Top 400 Contractor list.

In addition to providing leadership within all areas of the organization, Thomas served his community and profession. He was President of the Alabama Branch of the Associated General Contractors of America; Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Construction Advancement Program; Chairman of the Architect/Engineer Liaison Committee; and a member of the University of Alabama Industrial Engineering Advisory Board, Engineering School Leadership Board, and the President’s Cabinet. Philanthropic organizations receiving his support included the Diabetes Trust Fund, Children’s Harbor, The Exceptional Foundation, and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

His professional awards and recognition included the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Subcontractors Association of Alabama; Outstanding Fellow Award from The University of Alabama’s Department of Industrial Engineering; Distinguished Engineering Fellow by the University’s College of Engineering; and membership into the AGC Alabama Construction Hall of Fame. Over the years Thomas has earned the respect and loyalty of hundreds of Doster Construction employees and their families, along with the entire construction community.

Thomas is survived by his wife Leila “Sissy” Walton Doster to whom he was wed for 60 years, his three children Thomas Edwin Doster IV (Diana), Walton Charles Doster (Julia), and Julia Doster Crowell (Brian); and his eight grandchildren Thomas Edwin Doster V, Hamilton Grace Doster, Walton Gray Doster, Rushton Walls Doster, Andrew Thacker Doster, Grace Hadley Crowell, Brian Doster Crowell, and Jackson Viles Crowell.

Thomas was an active family man spending years on the baseball diamond coaching his sons and daughter. He will always be remembered for his little league coaching outfit of khaki pants, loafers, and long sleeve work shirt with the sleeves rolled up. He spent hours in the car traveling the country to watch games and spent the last several years cheering his grandchildren on from afar watching them play baseball, football, hockey and lacrosse every chance he got. He and his wife Sissy have been inseparable over their 60 year marriage. He frequently remarked to all who would listen that marrying Sissy was the best and easiest decision he ever made.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, July 10 at 11:00AM at Canterbury United Methodist Church with visitation at the church beginning at 10:00AM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to:
Children’s of Alabama
Attention: Foundation
1600 7th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35233
Or at childrensal.org/foundation