Douglas Gary Dewberry

Douglas Gary Dewberry, 74, of Roswell, was born in Lanett, Alabama, a border town to the cotton mill town of West Point, Georgia. He left home after graduating from Lanett High School. Gary moved to Waynesboro, Virginia where his three children, Douglas, John and Diana, were also born. Gary attended classes at UVA and taught himself to speed read at 600 words per minute. In 1963, Gary joined Marriott Corporation in its budding new Commercial Food Service Division. After stints in Norfolk, Virginia and the Dupont Plant in Buffalo, New York, Gary was transferred back to Marriott Headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland, where he was rewarded with a promotion to VP District Manager. At 37 years old, Gary was, at the time, the youngest VP District Manager in Marriott Food Services history. While working at Marriott’s Bethesda headquarters and living in Gainesville, VA, Gary heard ‘the call’ to preach. For two years (1972-1974), Gary was bi-vocational. The youngest district manager in Marriott Food Service Division history and pastor of Goldvein Baptist Church, Goldvein, Virginia.By following God’s will, Gary, imparted his message of love and inclusion. Resulting in Goldvein Baptist experiencing its highest attendance in church history. Gary also had the distinction of baptizing his two sons Douglas and John. In 1973, Gary took the job as president of Servomation Corporation (now part of ARA) in Boston, Massachusetts. In 1975, Gary moved his family back south to Atlanta. Gary purchased the Old Stand and Snack Company (eight locations) along with the legendary downtown Atlanta restaurant, LEBS and renamed the firm Dewberry Food Services/Kada Kitchens (kitchen and dining administration.) Gary was born with a heart defect. In fact, was at 21 years old in 1958, one of the first 10 people in the southeast to have open heart surgery. In 1958, the survival rate was 50%. In 1969, Gary had a second emergency heart surgery operation at University Hospital in Charlottesville, Virginia, to place an aorta valve in his heart. He died at 74 with the same valve. A medical miracle of it’s own. In March 1984, Gary at 46 suffered a major stroke. For a period of time, Gary could not see or speak. However, he recovered quickly and through sheer force of will, joined his sons, Douglas and John, on July 4th that same year, in continuing a pact to run 20 straight Peachtree Road Races. A pact they started in son John’s senior year at Milton High School, 1980, continued for 29 years. Gary, after his stroke ran five marathons including Boston, NYC, Chicago, Nashville, Atlanta and cycled in five BRAG’s (Bike Rides Across Georgia). Gary’s love for cycling was also how he discovered his lung cancer. While riding with friends on their weekly Wednesday ride on the silver comet trail, Gary noticed small traces of blood in his saliva. Gary always stressed both education and athletics to his children, instilling in us “what the mind can conceive, the body can achieve.” His eldest, Douglas Dewberry, played linebacker at University of Georgia for the legendary Erk Russell. Douglas also graduated in 1985 Summa Cum Laude with a Masters Degree in Accounting. Gary’s middle son, John, followed his brother to Athens to play quarterback. After John’s freshman year, Gary suggested a transfer to Georgia Tech. His son, John, concurred. As Georgia Tech’s quarterback, John was twice named all-ACC Quarterback 1984 and 1985. John was also named to the all-ACC academic teams in both 1984 and 1985. Diana Dewberry, Gary’s youngest, in 1987 walked on to play basketball at Mercer College in Macon, Georgia. In January 1987, Gary divorced at the time, married his childhood sweetheart Charlotte Greene Neville, who has two children, Rich and Julie. The last 25 years of Gary’s life with Charlotte was an inspirational story of respect, honor and love. An example for all their children to emulate. In the 25 Years, Charlotte, a pianist at Northbrook United Methodist in Roswell, and Gary travelled to Scotland, Ireland and other countries. Gary and Charlotte were always son John’s guest at his Charleston, South Carolina residence each May for the International Arts and Cultural Spoleto Festival. Every afternoon the two walked hand-in-hand to various musical productions always ending their day at First Scots Presbyterian’s afternoon chamber music. Another week was spent with Charlotte’s family enjoying sun and fellowship with grandkids on the Florida Coast. Celebrate him home! A memorial service will be on Sunday August 14, 2011 at Northbrook United Methodist Church, 11225 Crabapple Road, Roswell, GA 30075, at 2:00 pm.

Douglas Gary Dewberry

June 15, 1937 - August 8, 2011