Dozier Neal Wickham

Dozier Neal Wickham, a life-long resident of Columbus, died on May 18, 2016. Funeral services will be Monday, May 23, 2016 at St. Paul United Methodist Church at 11:00 a.m. followed by a private burial at Linwood Cemetery.

Neal was born on December 12, 1929 in Columbus, Georgia to the late Estelle McElvey and Frederick Louis Wickham. Neal graduated from Columbus High School in 1948 and entered the University of Georgia where he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and a Varsity Cheerleader. He received his BBA degree in 1953 and served in the United States Air Force until 1955. Upon his return home, Neal and his brother, the late William C. Wickham, began a construction company. Together, they developed Wickham Heights subdivision. In 1975, Neal founded Wickham’s Outdoor World, a retail store oriented toward hiking, camping, canoeing and other outdoor activities. He ran that store until his retirement in 1992.

Neal was always an adventurer and interested in the outdoors. He devoted the major part of his adult life to the protection and conservation of Georgia’s natural resources. Of significant importance, was Neal’s dedication to the “Saving the Flint” campaign where he worked tirelessly to prevent the construction of a hydro-electric dam. The Flint River remains the longest undammed river in Georgia today. He is also known for conceptualizing the idea of a whitewater course on the Chattahoochee River. He will always be remembered most as the Founder of the Pine Mountain Trail and was responsible for the development of a hiking trail that has been enjoyed by over one million people.

Neal was Past President of: the Columbus Chapter of the Izaak Walton League, the Muscogee County Bulldog Club, Chairman of the Agriculture Conservation Committee, Board of Directors member of: the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, Boys Club, Columbus Jaycees, and the Country Club of Columbus. He was a Charter Member of Kiwanis Club of Greater Columbus, member of the Muscogee County Planning Commission, the Muscogee County Rescue Squad, the D.D.S., and St. Paul United Methodist Church. He was a Scoutmaster for BSA Troop 1. Neal was a member of the Rotary Club of Columbus where he had perfect attendance for 31 years.

Neal was predeceased by his wife, Carolyn Butts Wickham and his siblings, Frederick Louis Wickham, Jr., Estelle McElvey Wickham and William Charles Wickham. He is survived by his wife of 12 years, Judith Massey Wickham, his son, Malon Murray Wickham and wife Laura Smith Wickham, his granddaughters, Carolyn Hanna Wickham and Mary Bailey Wickham, his step-children, Laurie Wells Cole and her husband Terry Michael Cole, Charles Thomas Wells, Jr. (Chad) and his wife Hollie Steapleton Wells, his step-grandchildren, William Michael Cole and Andrew Massey Cole, Olivia Ellen Wells, Abigail Elaine Wells and Ruthie Leann Wells, his sister-in-law, Frankie Wells Wickham, his niece, Kathleen Wickham Chancellor and her husband J. Edgar Chancellor III, his nephew, William Charles Wickham, Jr. and his wife , Allison Ford Wickham along with several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Pine Mountain Trail Association, P.O. Box 5, Columbus, GA 31902.