Jermiah Dosser was a big teddy bear with a heart of gold and enjoyed life. Growing up, he was involved in many class activities and projects, as well as band, various sports and 4-H projects. He always looked forward to the annual summer family camping and fishing trips to northern Canada as well as the many vacation trips with his parents and working with his friends on his truck, “Eleanor.”

During high school, Jermiah’s parents Rick and Jody were also his teachers and coaches. In his senior year, he was a National Honor Society member, an All-State football player who was selected to participate in the Shriner’s All-Star Iowa HS football team. An All-State wrestler, he earned the heavyweight position on the Osage High School wrestling team as a ninth grader. During his senior year the team won the Class 2A State Champion Dual Team Wrestling Championship and Jermiah placed 6th in the Iowa High School Individual State Wrestling Tournament. Jermiah received an Outstanding Student Athlete Award from Central College, Pella, Iowa and as a freshman and sophomore, Jermiah played football at Central College. When he decided to major in computer information systems, Jermiah transferred to Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa and graduated cum laude with a major in Computer Information Systems and a minor in Business.

In April 2006, Jermiah began working as a computer programmer in Des Moines, Iowa. On his way to work on March 22, 2007, Jermiah was hit and killed by a pick-up truck that ran a red light. He was nine days from his 25th birthday.

“We instantly informed the authorities that Jermiah’s wish was to be a donor,” noted Jody. “They were unaware that Jermiah had indicated that his wish to be a Donor on his driver’s license.” Jermiah became a tissue donor and also a cornea donor through the Iowa Lions Eye Bank

“We are so grateful for the support we continue to receive regarding Jermiah’s tragic death from our family, friends, colleagues, as well as our various other communities. The unconditional and continued support from the Iowa Donor Network and the Iowa Lions Eye Bank is remarkable and greatly appreciated,” Jody said. Rick and Jody actively promote donor awareness across the U.S.

In spring 2010, Jermiah’s Law, championed by Rick and Jody, went into effect in Iowa. The law affords stiffer penalties for drivers who run red lights and unintentionally hurt or kill an individual.

In honor of her tireless work as a donor advocate, Jody Dosser is also a rider on the Donate Life 2011 Rose Parade float, where she will be able to see her son’s floragraph proudly displayed.