David Ford Dozier, Jr., born on September 22, 1936, in Sacramento, California, peacefully passed away at home on August 20, 2025. He leaves behind a legacy of dedication, expertise, and compassion.
     David was the son of David Ford Dozier, Sr. of Susanville and Dorothy (Wanzer) Dozier of Santa Cruz. He graduated from McClatchy High School in 1954 and continued his education at Stanford University, earning his undergraduate degree in 1958. He pursued his medical studies at Stanford medical school from 1961 to 1963, followed by an Internal Medicine residency at the University of Washington in 1966, and a Neurology residency at Cornell University from 1963 to 1966.
      During his distinguished career, David served his country as a member of the US Navy, completing his military service stationed in Yokosuka, Japan, from 1966 to 1969 during the Vietnam War. Returning to Sacramento, he established a thriving solo neurology practice in 1969, which soon grew into the premier neurology providers in town, serving patients with compassion until his retirement in 2006. Throughout his career, he specialized in movement disorders and was a founding member of the Bioethics Committee at Sutter Hospitals.
      In 1998, David married Krystin (Gregory) Dozier, sharing a life filled with love and companionship. David was a true renaissance man. His love of language and linguistics, lead to his interest in poetry. He had four poems published, and many others shared with loved ones. He would dash off a quick limerick for special occasions and special friends. He was a good story teller, loved a turn of phrase, an accent, and perfect timing of a joke. He was a troubadour, first with guitar, then ukulele, and his fine tenor voice, entertaining friends, or strumming with others. He loved to cook gourmet meals for friends and family gatherings, and eat at the best restaurants around the world. He played squash until those courts were converted to racquet ball, so he was too, playing well into his 80’s. David was known as a gentlemen’s gentleman, kind and caring to all, never one to raise his voice, or have a harsh word.
      David was preceded by his parents, his older siblings, Bill Dozier and Jeanne (Dozier) Cave. He is survived by his twin sister, Dotty (Dozier) Dixon, his wife Krystin, his two daughters Sherri Adams and Rachel Smolich, plus grandchildren David and Gretchen Smolich and Charlie and Andrew Adams, and son in law Scott Adams. David's contributions to medicine and his community have left an indelible mark. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, colleagues, and all those whose lives he touched.
A memorial service will be held at The Firehouse on September 21 from 2 to 4pm. Donations in his memory can be made to Volunteers of America.