Wood Thomas Dozier III

Wood Thomas Dozier III passed away September 8, 2025, surrounded by his family. Thomas was born January 3, 1941, in Montgomery, Alabama, to Wood T. Dozier, Jr. and Jane Montgomery Dozier and grew up on his family farm in Elmore County. He started school in a one-room schoolhouse, a short walk from his home, and graduated from Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He then attended Auburn University where he graduated with a degree in agricultural economics and was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.

Following college, Thomas joined the United States Marine Corps and served as an infantry officer in the 2nd Marine Division based at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He served primarily in Central America and Europe and achieved the rank of captain. Some of his fondest memories and best stories were from his time in the Marines.

In 1967, Thomas took over the management of W. T. Dozier Farm, and spent the next 50 years investing, expanding, innovating and working very, very hard. Apart from the farm, he was a founding partner of Milstead Farm Group and its first president. For more than 30 years, he served in various capacities on the boards of directors of Alabama Ag Credit and its predecessor organization, the Federal Land Bank of South Alabama, and was a member and chair of the Stockholders Advisory Committee of the 10th District Farm Credit Bank based in Austin, Texas. Thomas was also involved with the Alabama Agribusiness Council and honored to have received its Heritage Award in 2024.

More than anything, Thomas loved his wife and his daughters and their families. He was especially tickled with his grandchildren and proud of the young adults they have become. He also loved fishing, quarter horses and good seafood and is remembered as a true gentleman.

Thomas was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Susan D. Bell. He is survived by his wife Barbara Pinson Dozier; daughters Ellen Dozier Mayer (Randolph) and Jeanne Dozier Clayton (James); grandchildren Thomas Hawthorne Mayer, Troup Dozier Clayton and Lydia Grace Clayton; nephew and business partner Andrew P. Bell and extended family, including nieces, nephews, cousins and two aunts. He also leaves behind a close-knit group of neighbors, friends from the Oxford Class at First United Methodist Church and a core group of longtime employees of whom he was very fond and with whom he accomplished so much.

A memorial service will be held at 2 pm on Thursday, September 25 at First United Methodist Church, Montgomery, with visitation beginning at 1 pm. A private burial will take place at a later date.

The Dozier family would like to thank the nursing staff at Jackson Hospital for their outstanding care and asks that anyone wishing to make a contribution in Thomas’ memory consider the following organizations: Meals on Wheels – Montgomery Metro Area, Wounded Warrior Project or First United Methodist Church of Montgomery.