Joel Jackson Dampier

Joel Jackson Dampier of Warner Robins, Georgia passed away peacefully in Augusta on Saturday, March 5, 2022. He was 90 years old.

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on February 16, 1932, Joel was the son of the late Harry and Jean Dampier. He proudly attended Catholic schools in his younger years before graduating from Marist High School in Atlanta. While in high school, he played football, basketball, and baseball. He received a college grant to continue his football career. In high school, he joined the Georgia Air National Guard. When the Korean Conflict began, he was activated into the United States Air Force and flew many combat missions. He left the Air Force as a captain. He spoke often of his time in the service and was honored to have served his country.

As a civilian, Joel worked for General Motors in the Frigidaire division as sales manager for Middle and South Georgia. Excelling in his job, he won many awards. Joel was an avid golfer. One year, he was very excited to be able to play the Augusta National Golf Course after the Masters had ended.

Joel loved making people laugh. He is remembered for his many jokes and stories about his precious cats. A devoted family man, he loved his wife, Marian, supporting her in her music and bringing her flowers unexpectedly. Joel was already planning their August 50th wedding anniversary. He taught his children to have respect for others, confidence in themselves, and encouraged their dreams.

He attended St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Fort Valley and Trinity United Methodist Church in Warner Robins.

In addition to his parents, Joel was preceded in death by his daughter by marriage, Susan E. Singer.

Left to treasure his memory are his wife of 49 years and 7 months, Marian Gotko Dampier; son, Joel Matthew Dampier, Sr. (Gina); daughters by marriage, Lynmarie Rae Pye (Craig); Monica Singer Franklin (Doug); grandchildren, Joel Matthew Dampier, Jr., Audrey Patsy Dampier, and granddaughter by marriage, Donna Ashley Pye as well as host of family and friends.

Visitation will be on Thursday, March 10, 2022 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at McCullough Funeral Home. His service is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 11, 2022 at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Fort Valley. The family will receive visitors an hour before the service at the church. Joel will be laid to rest at Andersonville National Cemetery at 12:00 noon on Friday, March 11, 2022.

For friends and family unable to attend, the service will be streamed live via the McCullough Funeral Home Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mcculloughfuneralhome/live/.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations be made online to The Comfort House in Augusta, Georgia, at https://www.comforthouseofaugusta.org.

Learn more about the measures McCullough Funeral Home is taking to ensure the health and safety of our guests at www.mcculloughfh.com. There you can also sign an Online Registry for the family. McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.