Obituary for Alex Dopson

MR. ALEXANDER THOMAS “ALEX” DOPSON, age 80, of Rhine, GA, died Friday, January 16, 2026, at Atrium Health Navicent Medical Center in Macon, GA.

 Funeral services will be held at 12:00PM Monday, January 19, 2026, in Rhine Baptist Church, with Mr. Bobby Ryals, Mr. Gary Ryals, and Rev. Ricky Gilmore officiating, with interment in Bay Springs Cemetery.

  Alex was born on February 27, 1945, in McRae, GA and was a member of Rhine Baptist Church. He was raised in Jacksonville, GA and was a 1964 graduate of Telfair County High School. He earned a degree in Typewriter Machine Repair from Southwest Georgia Trade and Vocational School in Americus. He also studied at Brewton Parker College in Mt. Vernon, GA. He married Gale Brophy Dopson on April 21, 1967, and was the father of two children, Karl and Keri. Mr. Dopson was a meat inspector for the Georgia Department of Agriculture for many years in the 1970s and 1980s. He was a farmer and raised livestock. He loved horses and enjoyed riding and taking care of them. Alex was a Game Warden and retired from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources in 1990. He was a dedicated husband of 58 years, and his greatest achievement was his children and grandchildren who he loved dearly. His hobbies included restoring old automobiles, especially Volkswagens and he was an avid woodworker who enjoyed turning bowls and pens, of which he crafted many. He also enjoyed listening to music and working with his sawmill, which he had for many years, and he even built his family cabin with the wood he milled. Mr. Dopson was a member of the Milan Masonic Lodge and Sons of Confederate Veterans. He loved hunting, fishing and being outdoors and was affectionately known as “Grandpa Alex” and “Hampa” to his grandchildren. Mr. Dopson was the patriarch of his family and will be missed dearly. He was the son of the late Levi Alexander Dopson and Henrietta Burch Dopson and was preceded in death by 3 siblings, Deborah Dopson, Lester Dopson, and Dean Dopson, 2 brothers-in-law, Duane Harrell and James R. “Jim” Brophy, Sr., 2 sisters-in-law, Wilma Dopson and Shirley Dopson, and a nephew, Tal Dopson.

 He is survived by his Wife - Gale Brophy Dopson of Rhine; Son – Karl Dopson (Mary) of Rhine; Daughter – Keri Dopson Lancaster (Lee) of Eastman; Grandchildren – Mary Beth Dopson Marchant (Davis), David Dopson, Karlton Dopson, Mark Dopson, Nathan Lancaster, and Caroline Lancaster; Sister – Harriet Dopson Harrell of Cochran; Sister-in-law – Claryce L. Brophy of Cochran; Nieces and Nephews – Dee Brophy, James R. “Jim” Brophy, Jr., Aleph Harrell Fore (Chuck), Amy Harrell Banks, John Dopson, Paul Dopson (Wanda), Stephen Dopson (Janna), and Jeff Dopson (Stephanie); Several Great Nieces, Nephews and Cousins.

 The family may be contacted at the Dopson residence, 79 Central Street, Rhine, GA and will receive friends in Rhine Baptist Church from 11:00AM – 12:00PM on Monday, January 19, before the funeral service. In addition to flowers, the family request contributions to Gideons International Bible Fund or Rhine Baptist Church, P.O. Box 45, Rhine, GA 31077.