J. W. Doster, age 94, passed away July 19, 2016.
He was born March 29, 1922 in Athens, Ga. He attended school in Athens and enlisted in the Navy in 1942. He was a WWII Veteran. He contributed his long career to the Navy’s training in aviation. He was one of the first employees of Southern Airways. His career took him from Athens, Ga. to Bainbridge, Ga. and Ft. Rucker, Ala. for test and development for helicopters. After retiring from Republic Airlines in 1981, he formed a contract group and worked for most of the new airlines formed in Atlanta and others across the U. S.
He was a charter member of the Johnson Drive Baptist Church in Athens, Ga. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Peachtree City. He was a master mason and member of the Blue Lodge and a shriner.
J. W. was preceded in death by his wife Mary Helen Burt Doster; parents Grady and Pauline Doster; sister Doris Mize; brother R. F. Doster; and niece Donna Mize. He is survived by daughter Sandra Pruitt and husband Harris; son Robert Doster; four grandchildren Nancy Pruitt McPherson and husband Patrick, Kristy Pruitt Hardage and husband Chad, Kyle Doster, and Erica Doster; four great-grandchildren Caroline and Nolan McPherson, and Amelia and Abigail Hardage; nephews Ronald Mize and James Doster; and niece Carol Mize Foster.
A funeral service was held on Thursday, July 21, 2016 at 11 a.m. at Mowell Funeral Home in Peachtree City. Rev. J. W. Wallis officiated. Interment followed at Westminster Memorial Gardens in Peachtree City. The family received friends prior to the service from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. at the funeral home.
The family would like to express their deep appreciation to Hope Center Memory Care in Fayetteville, Southern Grace Hospice, and to Heritage of Peachtree City for the continued love and care they gave him after the loss of his beloved wife Helen eight years prior to his death and with his battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
Carl J Mowell & Son Funeral Home, Peachtree City – www.mowellfuneralhome.com.
