A pioneer within the City of Ville Platte passed away Friday morning at the age of 88 following a short illness.
Curley “Coach” Dossman spent two years of his life serving his country during the Korean War before returning home to continue his life of service to others.
Upon returning home from the service, Dossman launched his career in public service as he became an educator and coach at James Stephens High School until 1969. He then became principal at W.W. Stewart in Basile until 1983. During his time as principal, he implemented a breakfast program that was eventually adopted by all schools in the parish.
One of the teachers who worked for Dossman in Basile was Brenda Toston. “I’ve known Mr. Dossman all of my life,” she said. “When I was a young child, he was very close to my family. When I graduated from college, he gave me a job teaching at W.W. Stewart where he was principal.”
“He was a true pillar in our community,” she continued. “He was a coach, and he was a member of the St. John Baptist Church.”
In 1977, Dossman became the first African-American to be elected to the Ville Platte City Council paving the way for African-Americans in the community. He was succeeded on the council by Freddie Jack around 1998.
Ville Platte Mayor Jeniffer Vidrine remembers Dossman as a “legend,” who she will “truly miss.”
Mayor Vidrine said, “Coach Dossman was a legend in this city. His contributions to the city and the people are indelible. He was a true friend and I will truly miss his advice, his counsel and his love.”
Dossman also served on the Southern University Board of Supervisors where he managed to have a satellite branch campus of Southern University brought to Ville Platte High. Students from Evangeline, St. Landry, Avoyelles, and Allen Parishes could attend the Southern University satellite branch.
He most recently served on the Evangeline Solid Waste Commission.
The philosophy Dossman has lived by comes from his father. Dossman said his philosophy was, “mind your own business, be nice to people, stay in school and work for what you want. With a philosophy like that you can’t go wrong.”
At press time, funeral arrangements for Dossman had not been determined.