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Vince Dooley Obituary
Funeral services for Vince Dooley will be private. A public celebration of life will be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the University of Georgia Libraries, 320 S. Jackson St., Athens, GA 30602; the Georgia Historical Society Vincent J. Dooley Distinguished Fellows Program, One Baltimore Place NW, Suite G300, Atlanta, GA 30308; Champions Community Foundation, 2850 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek, GA 30022 or The Catholic Center at the University of Georgia, 1344 S. Lumpkin St., Athens, GA 30605.
Read more about Coach Vince Dooley on ajc.com
36 Entries
charles candler sadler
June 22, 2025
God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Bill Craig
November 17, 2022
I graduated from Auburn with Vince in 1954 and we both wound up in Athens, Georgia.....me with Westinghouse Electric Corporation and Vince with UGA. We remained close friends and exchanged messages often over the years, and I'll never forget the great friendship we enjoyed.
Deborah and Tammie Hester
November 2, 2022
Our condolences to the Dooley Family. Coach Dooley was a legend in Athens and Bulldog Nation. Gone from our sight but forever in our hearts. Rest in peace Coach.
Lisa Miller
October 31, 2022
I got to know The Dooley Family while Deanna, Danielle and Dennis attended Clarke Central High School.
I was lucky enough to be attending UGA in 1980 - 1985 and attended every football game (Home and Away) and got to be a part of The 1980 National Championship. As a student at UGA, I admired Coach Dooley for his integrity , perseverance, dedication, positive attitude and loyalty. Not only was he one of The Greatest Coaches; but I also got to see his love and dedication as a husband and father.
May Almighty God give Comfort, Peace and Strength to The Dooley family during this difficult and sad time.
Rest in Peace Vince Dooley knowing you did a great job during your time here on Earth and you left a legacy that will be carried on and remembered by many for years to come.
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Kenneth Massey
October 30, 2022
If I had a son, I would have wanted him to go to the University of Georgia and play for Coach Dooley. He was an icon and a leader of young men. To his family, I pray that God will bless and comfort you through this most difficult time. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Chris Leon
October 30, 2022
Our family was sorry to hear that Coach Dooley passed away. Vince and my father, Francis Leon grew up in the same neighborhood in Mobile. Please accept our families condolences. We will have the Dooley family in our prayers. God Bless. Chris Leon
Wayne and Brenda Dobson
October 30, 2022
Brenda and I will sure miss him. We enjoyed times with him that had nothing to do with football. He was quite the historian and we were with him at The Jarrell Plantation and on the Ed Bearss tours that he so enjoyed. We toured Old Clinton and the Griswoldvile Battlefield together and enjoyed his time with us at The Cannonball House in Macon, for one of his many book signings. He was a lliving legend for sure but most of all, he was our friend. May he rest in sweet peace and may GOD's Holy Spiriit comfort his dear family.
Mary Younce
October 29, 2022
Dear family,
Our deepest sympathy. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Vince Dooley was a good person. Love, Wiley and Mary Younce and family
Marcia Mitchell
October 29, 2022
I´m sorry about his passing. My husband got me involved in Dawg football and due to Coach Dooley I´ve been a Dawg ever since. My son was raised on Dooley football. He changed the game so much. He will definitely be missed
October 29, 2022
Damn Best Dawg!
Sue Mayer
October 29, 2022
Fortunate to be at UGA from 1976-1983 and saw some great football. Wishing Peace to all of the family during this time as you miss your dear husband, father, grandfather....because I am sure that is what mattered most to him. Sorry for your loss.
Mick Henderson
October 29, 2022
He was one of the greatest college football coaches of all time and will always be synonymous with the Georgia Bulldogs.
Al Rothstein
October 29, 2022
Coach Dooley stood for excellence and set high standards in everything he did. A positive impact for generations. He was good to me as a student radio reporter and I'll never forget that.
Evans Donnell
October 29, 2022
A class act, a Renaissance man, a legendary sportsman, a kind gentleman. May his memory be eternal.
Anita Gaudin
October 29, 2022
Thank you for your great tenure with the Georgia Bulldogs. We as Georgians are very proud of you and your team. RIP
Eric Sigman
October 29, 2022
Great coach, great molder of men. We will miss you, Coach Dooley. God bless you!
Pat Kohler
October 29, 2022
May the Good Lord grant Coach Dooley his eternal peace and bring comfort to the Dooley family during this difficult time.
Andrea Dodas
October 29, 2022
I had the pleasure of meeting Coach Dooley when he was AD and I worked with the Development office. He was a gracious man and we both had a love of chocolate labs. He will be missed by all, but he will never be forgotten.
Rest in peace Vince, and my heartfelt condolences to the entire Dooley family.
Marsha Carol Watson Gandy
October 29, 2022
Coach Vince Dooley may have been born in Alabama, but GEORGIA was BLESSED to have him, and WE ALL LOVED AND ADORED HIM--not to the point of fanaticism---but in the BEST OF WAYS.
He was rare, unique, kind----he was a "lifter-up" of young men----and the GREAT ENCOURAGER that touched so many lives, and helped each life to become the Best that they could be.
THANK YOU, COACH VINCE DOOLEY....You have been a Great Gift to the State of Georgia.....We will Always Love You---We will Always HONOR YOU---and HEAVEN'S FOOTBALL TEAM IS "SHOUTING THE PRAISES RIGHT NOW AS YOU HAVE CHECKED IN TO GLORYLAND!!!!!
HALLELUJAH!
Ronnie Thrift
October 29, 2022
I had the honor of meeting Coach Dooley at the PrimeSouth Bank in Waycross at a book signing in 2004....He signed my copy of his book, "Dooley My Forty Years at Georgia"......What a privilege it was to have a picture taken with him.....Rest in peace, Coach............Condolences to the Dooley family.......
Ronnie Thrift, UGA '72
Waycross
October 29, 2022
Curtis Rivers
October 29, 2022
Condolences to the family.
Fran
October 29, 2022
I felt so honored to have met Vince and his lovely wife, Barbara, at his book signing at Magnolia Plantation in Charleston, SC a few years ago. Not only an outstanding coach and very respected in the world of athletics, but a very knowledgeable and devoted gentleman gardener especially with Hydrangeas. There is even a variety named for him. I will always remember our meeting and our lovely conversation. My sincere condolences to his family and may this very special man be remembered by many for his many talents. May he rest in peace.
Russell
October 29, 2022
Sending my prayers to the Dooley family. I never knew him but had great respect for him. I have been a UGA fan since the late 1970s.
RIP Coach
Mark and Karen Godfrey
October 29, 2022
An honest, honorable man to all that knew him!
Greg
October 29, 2022
Gator fan for life but my hat was always off to Coach Dooley Coach Dooley owned the Gators.
Condolences to the Dooley family and the Bulldog nation.
RIP Coach Dooley
Bard Diffly
October 29, 2022
A great man indeed. Rest In Peace Coach.
JoAlice Patterson
October 29, 2022
I send sincere and heartfelt condolences to Barbara, Deanna, Daniel, Derek and family on the passing of Coach Vince. He was a true Southern gentleman- always so very gracious. Coach will be sorely missed by the family, as well as those who had the good fortune to know him. Heaven just gained ‘the Damn Best Dawg,’
Prayers for comfort and peace at this time of sorrow.
M. Wesley Savage
October 28, 2022
A good man, my Father's position coach at Auburn and a life long friend..... Coach Dooley and Joel Eaves resurrected UGA football.......
A life well lived a true Southern Gentleman and Down through the years A Legend!
God speed Coach....you will be missed but you will be remembered fondly forever.
Condolences to Barbara, Derek and the entire Dooley Family.
Morris Wesley Savage
AU '89, '90
Jeff Gable
October 28, 2022
I am heartbroken to hear of the passing of Coach Dooley. I remember as a child, my father watching the 1981 Sugar Bowl in our living room, and he helped me become a passionate Georgia fan. He shared stories of being a student at UGA in the 1960s, when Coach Dooley was starting his career. In later years, I had the pleasure of interviewing Coach Dooley twice, when I was a member of the sports media in Rome. Coach, you were a Georgia treasure and a tremendous leader, and you influenced so many people. Rest In Peace, and my prayers go out to the Dooley family during this time.
Suzanne Johnston
October 28, 2022
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Jim Dove
October 28, 2022
Vince Dooley was not only a great football coach and athletics administrator he was truly a gentleman. I met him almost five decades ago, and every time we talked was a pleasure. Thank you Coach for being a leader in every sense of the word. May God bless the entire Dooley family!
Jim Bushnell
October 28, 2022
Thoughts and prayers for Coach Dooley, his dear wife Barbara and their family. Bless you all.
Don Evans
October 28, 2022
Always so gracious. I witnessed how he was always there for former players. Great coach, great man.
Hoops
October 28, 2022
You can't say or think Georgia Bulldogs Football without saying Coach Dooley. He was a teacher, a Coach, mentor, father, husband,motivator and above all a great man, and an even better human being. Sleep in Power Coach Dooley
Andrea Davis
October 28, 2022
Barbara, Deanna, Daniel, Denise, Derek, your extended families, and all those who know and love Coach Dooley - the phrase “they don’t make them like that anymore” certainly applies to Coach Dooley. May you feel surrounded by His love and mercy and the support of all of Bulldog Nation in the times that lie ahead.
Mike Hill
October 28, 2022
I hope Coach Dooley enjoys all the rewards of heaven after a life well lived. Blessing and peace to the family.
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