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Dr. James Livingston Dozier, Jr., 80, husband of Maryinda Moore Dozier, died peacefully Saturday, July 02, 2022, surrounded by his family. The family will receive friends from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm on Thursday, July 7, 2022, at Hancock Elmore Hill Funeral Home in Bishopville, South Carolina. A private family service will be held at a later date. The Directors of Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home care caring for the family. Dr. Dozier was the son of James L. Dozier, Sr. and Cleo Evelyn Sparks Dozier and was born in Rockhill, SC on June 3, 1942. He graduated from Mooresville High School in 1960. He continued his education at Pfeiffer University earning a BA in Science in 1965. After receiving an award from The National Science Foundation he attended Middle Tennessee State University earning a Master's Degree in Math and Science in 1973. He attended the University of South Carolina and earned his P.H.D. in Education in August 1985. Dr. Dozier began teaching biology and physics at Chesterfield High School in 1965. Along with teaching, he coached football and basketball. In June of 1967, he married Maryinda Moore Dozier in Charlotte at Hawthorne Lane United Methodist Church. One year later Dr. Dozier accepted a position as instructor and coach at Camden Military Academy. He taught biology and chemistry and he coached football, basketball, baseball, and golf. He was referred to as Major Dozier or Coach. He was well-liked by his cadets and they helped take care of his growing family. His family increased by two with the birth of Traci Noel Dozier in 1970 and Joy Lynn Dozier in 1973. In 1981 he accepted the position of Headmaster at Robert E. Lee Academy in Bishopville, SC. Along with his duties as Headmaster, he taught Physics and coached basketball and golf. He worked tirelessly to keep REL afloat when times were hard and appreciated the tremendous work and time the teachers and staff dedicated to the school in order to keep it operating. He hired an Early Childhood P.H.D. Specialist to come in and write a kindergarten program, especially for REL Academy. This program enhanced the curriculum and prestige of the school. He also implemented the AP curriculum in the high school. Over his tenure, Dr. Dozier’s leadership along with hard work from the staff enhanced the school’s population and community. He firmly believed that the rules must apply to everyone. His hobbies included Sudoku, Baseball cards, Hot Wheels collections, and wheeling and dealing on eBay. His love of sports was a lifelong affair. Dr. Dozier was very proud of his daughters and loved watching them grow and go off to college in order to experience life and become the wonderful grown women they grew to be. He felt very blessed and proud to have four beautiful and interesting grandchildren. He loved watching them grow and following their interests and achievements. He enjoyed relationships with many former students and always loved their visits. He was very thankful for his family and friends and all of the good times he had with them. Dr. Dozier is survived by his wife of 55 years, Inda Dozier; daughter, Traci D. Waite (John) of Columbia; sister, Gail D. Geddings (Warren) of Charlotte; son-in-law, Arthur (English) O’Kelley of Beaufort; grandchildren, Jackson Filer Waite (14), Virginia Rose O’Kelley (14), Caroline Hines O’Kelley (12), and Margaret Palmer Waite (11). He was predeceased by his youngest daughter, Joy D. O’Kelley in 2014. He was very loved and will be missed.

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Dr. James Livingston Dozier Jr.

June 3, 1942 - July 2, 2022