Evans, GA – Douglas deVane Batchelor, Jr. passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Sunday, April 7, 2024. Mr. Batchelor was born on January 4, 1945, in Boston, MA to the late Douglas deVane Batchelor, Sr. and Lucy Bush Batchelor. He was a loving and devoted husband for 52 years to the late Julia “Julie” Harper Blanchard Batchelor.
Mr. Batchelor grew up in Coral Gables, Florida, graduating from Coral Gables High School. He then continued his education and graduated from the University of Virginia in 1966, where he was president of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. He completed law school at the University of Florida in 1969. He began his legal career on January 1, 1969, with Hull Barrett Law Firm. His legal experience spans decades and he worked in virtually every facet of the firm focusing primarily on areas of local government, public finance, commercial business, real estate matters and representation of health care providers.
Doug had a passion for horses and enjoyed any activity that involved horses. Over the years he was active in Hunter Jumpers, Thoroughbred Racehorses, Polo and Cutting Horses. The Augusta Futurity was one of his favorite annual events, where he enjoyed showing and sharing in the festivities with his family and friends. His dedication to his horses included countless hours working on his family farm.
Doug cherished his family and never missed an opportunity to join in and support the many activities involving his children and grandchildren. In his later years, he made an attempt to attend every event a grandchild was competing in. He enjoyed his times at Edisto Beach with Julie, always on the lookout to help the sea turtles. Masters week was another of his favorites. He loved taking friends to the course and showing them his favorite rout around the course to get the best vantage point for watching the golfers.
Community support and clubs were important to him, especially serving as a National Cutting Horse Association Regional Director from Georgia, Board of Directors of the Augusta Futurity, a member of the Aiken Polo Club and President of the Augusta Sports Council. He was a longstanding member of The Church of the Good Shepherd, the Augusta Country Club, the Pinnacle Club and the Heritage Club.
Close friend Vic Bell (Engr ’65) shared this memory of his lifelong friend: “Doug, Fred Kanner (Col ’65) (who passed in 2018) and I all served as Phi Presidents (63-64, 64-65, 65-66) and had remained close friends over the last 50+ years.
Doug was predeceased in early 2019 by his wife Julie, who was Tommy Blanchard’s sister. Tommy (Com ’70), who was President of the house during the 1969-70 year, was a local member of Augusta National, and left us several years ago.
One of Fred’s dreams was to get Tommy to host Doug, himself and me at Augusta National for a Phi Presidents foursome – but we never got around to doing that. Maybe in our next life!”
Chapter Grand
“In Coelo Quies Est”
Below are the Phis passing on to the Chapter Grand during 2023. If you wish to share your own memories or photos of any Phis that passed to the Chapter Grand, please send them to aig@virgina.edu and we will post them to the Phi Society’s Chapter Grand webpage.
- Douglas D. Batchelor (Col ’66)
- George A. Berry (Com ’61)
- Guy R. Cooter (Col ’60)
- Robert D. Greer (Col ’55)
- Steve D. Hawkins (Col ’86)
- John B. Mattingly (Col ’72)
- Grosvenor W. McKee ’54
- I. Lewis Nix, Jr. (Arch ’68)
- Peter V. Platt (Col ’53)
- Harry R. Selverian (Arch ’58)