Gil Dozier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gil Dozier
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| Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry | |
| In office May 10, 1976 – March 10, 1980 |
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| Preceded by | Dave L. Pearce |
| Succeeded by | Bob Odom |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Gilbert Lynel Dozier
March 19, 1934 Fields, Beauregard Parish Louisiana, US |
| Died | September 23, 2013 (aged 79) Baton Rouge, Louisiana |
| Cause of death | Cardiovascular disease |
| Resting place | Newlin Cemetery in Singer in Beauregard Parish |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Jean Helen Kirkland Dozier |
| Domestic partner | Treva Lea Tidwell |
| Relations | Gilbert Franklin Hennigan (maternal grandfather) Toby O'Rillion (uncle by marriage) |
| Children | Susan Laborde Denise Dupre |
| Parents | A. J. and Sylvia Mae Hennigan Dozier |
| Residences | St. Francisville West Feliciana Parish Louisiana (moved 2011) Baton Rouge, Louisiana |
| Alma mater | University of Louisiana at Lafayette Louisiana State University Law Center |
| Occupation | Lawyer; businessman farmer, rancher |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Air Force |
| Rank | Captain Lieutenant colonel |
Gilbert Lynel "Gil" Dozier (March 19, 1934 – September 23, 2013) was a lawyer, businessman, farmer, and rancher. He served as the Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry from 1976 to 1980. A member of the Democratic Party, Dozier's political career faced challenges and ended earlier than planned. He spent most of his adult life in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
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Gil Dozier's Early Life and Family
Gil Dozier was born in 1934 in Fields, a small town in Beauregard Parish. His parents, A. J. Dozier and Sylvia Mae Hennigan, were both teachers. Gil had one brother, Kenneth Rufus Dozier.
Important Family Members
Gil's maternal grandfather, Gilbert Franklin Hennigan, was a big influence. Gil was named after him. His grandfather was a rancher and also served as a state senator for many years (1944-1956). He was important in helping McNeese State University become a four-year college in 1950.
Gil's father, A. J. Dozier, earned a master's degree from the University of Arkansas. He taught at Northwestern State University and later worked as a teacher and principal in Beauregard Parish for 37 years. Gil's mother, Sylvia, taught in DeRidder.
Education and Military Service
Gil Dozier was a talented basketball player. He played for the Ragin' Cajuns at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (then called the University of Southwestern Louisiana) from 1952 to 1955. He earned his bachelor's degree from the university in 1955.
After college, Gil joined the United States Air Force. He served from 1957 to 1959 and reached the ranks of captain and later lieutenant colonel. He was a pilot at age 24, flying military transport missions to places like South Korea, Japan, and Hawaii. He remained a member of the Air Force Reserve until at least 1980.
After his military service, Dozier went to law school. He graduated from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. He even taught in the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program while studying for his law degree at night.
Gil Dozier's Political Journey
Gil Dozier started his political involvement early. As a young person, he worked as a page and then as a legislative assistant for his grandfather, State Senator Gilbert Hennigan.
In 1971-1972, he managed the campaign for U.S. Senator Allen J. Ellender of Louisiana. Senator Ellender passed away during his campaign, and J. Bennett Johnston, Jr. was elected to take his place. In 1974, Dozier ran for the Louisiana Public Service Commission but was not successful.
Becoming Agriculture Commissioner
In 1965, Dozier opened his own law office in Baton Rouge. On November 1, 1975, he was elected as the Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture. This was a special election because it was the first time Louisiana used a "nonpartisan blanket primary" system. Dozier won with 42 percent of the votes. The person who held the job before him, Dave L. Pearce, decided not to run against Dozier in the final election, so Dozier won the position right away.
Re-election Campaign
Dozier had thought about running for governor in 1979. However, he faced some legal issues that made that race very difficult. Instead, he ran for re-election as agriculture commissioner on October 27, 1979.
He ran against Bob Odom, another Democrat who had worked for the agriculture department. Dave Pearce, the former commissioner, also tried to win back his old job. Odom won the primary election with 45.9 percent of the votes, while Dozier received 31.1 percent.
In the final election on December 8, 1979, Bob Odom won against Dozier with 67.2 percent of the votes.
Later Life and Career
After his time as commissioner, Gil Dozier continued to work in different fields. He spent some time in a special facility in New Mexico and then returned to Baton Rouge. He also lived in St. Francisville.
In 1986, Dozier asked for a pardon for his past issues so he could practice law again. He was successful and continued his law career in St. Francisville.
Dozier was also very active in real estate development, farming, and cattle ranching. He managed a cattle ranch in St. Francisville and commercially farmed thousands of acres for over 30 years. In 2011, he moved back to Baton Rouge.
Gil Dozier passed away in September 2013 at the age of 79 in Baton Rouge. He is remembered by his long-term companion, Treva Lea Tidwell, and his five children: Susan Laborde, Denise Dupre, Leslie Lynelle Dozier, Carrie Johns, and Gilbert H. Dozier. He also had 15 grandchildren. His brother, Kenneth Rufus Dozier, also survived him. A memorial service was held in Baton Rouge, and he was buried in Newlin Cemetery in Singer.
Images for kids
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Gilbert Lynel "Gil" Dozier
