Mr. George "Spec" Dozier Obituary

G. G. "Spec" Dozier, 90, of Albany, died Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at Morningside Assisted Living. His funeral service will be at 11 AM Friday, February 1, 2013 at the First United Methodist Church with interment to follow at Crown Hill Cemetery. The Rev. Dr. Don Kea and the Rev. Dr. Don Adams will officiate. Spec Dozier was born in Coleman, GA, and had lived in Albany since 1943. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church and the Fellowship Sunday School Class. Mr. Dozier was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre. He participated in the Central Burma Campaign and received the Good Conduct Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the American Service Medal, and the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal with one Bronze Star. After World War II, he played catcher with the Atlanta Crackers minor league baseball team. Following his days as a player, he managed in the Grapefruit League in Miami and St. Petersburg. He retired from baseball in 1952 and bought the Grace Property on Dawson Rd. and developed the Merry Acres Motel which became the first franchised Quality Courts Motels in the State of Georgia. Mr. Dozier, along with his family, owned and operated Merry Acres, which included 3 hotels, a restaurant, and a residential and commercial development company. The hotels included the Merry Acres Quality Inn, a six time award winning property, the Sleep Inn, and the Comfort Suites. He served on the Board of Directors of Quality Court Hotel, now Choice Hotels International from 1953-1971. The residential management company developed over 5 residential subdivisions in Albany, including Merry Acres, Merry Acres West, Westwood, Northwood, Plantation West, and Briarcrest. Mr. Dozier was one of the founding trustees of Deerfield Windsor School, and helped develop the Happy House in Albany. His children fondly remember that he loved his family, and that he put his family first. Mr. Dozier was preceded in death by his wife, Jean Grace Dozier, 2 brothers, and 4 sisters. Mr. Dozier is survived by a son: Gerry Dozier and his wife Rosemary, Albany; a daughter: Gail Dozier Stanfill and her husband Bill, Albany; 4 grandchildren: Jon Dozier and his wife Jennifer, Albany, Jessica Dozier Sines and her husband Stephen, Palm City, FL, Kristin Stanfill, Atlanta, Scott Stanfill and his wife Amber, Albany; 4 great grandchildren: Gracen Dozier, Harrison Dozier, Hadley Fincher, and Caroline Fincher; a brother: Don Dozier and his wife Carol, Albany; and several nieces and nephew. The family wishes to thank Albany Community Hospice and Morningside Assisted Living for the care and concern given to Mr. Dozier during his illness. The family will receive friends at Kimbrell-Stern on Thursday (Today), January 31, 2013 from 5-7 PM. Those desiring may send memorials to First United Methodist Church, 307 Flint Ave., Albany, GA 31701, or to Albany Community Hospice, 320 Foundation Ln., Albany, GA 31721.

Mr. George "Spec" Dozier Obituary

June 13, 1922 - January 29, 2013