Hull Barrett Blog

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Doug Batchelor.  He spent his entire career with the Hull Barrett firm, beginning on January 1, 1969. He made significant contributions across various legal practice areas, notably excelling in local government law and public finance. He served as the Columbia County attorney for over three decades and was our firm’s chairman for many years. His impact on our firm and the legal community was significant. Our thoughts are with his son DeVane Batchelor, and with all who had the privilege of knowing him. Doug will be deeply missed.” 

-Christopher A. Cosper, President

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. 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’s work often involved acting as bond counsel, issuers counsel, underwriters counsel or owners counsel in the issuance of local government general obligation bonds, water and sewer bonds, school bonds, revenue bonds, industrial development bonds, multifamily housing bonds, health care facility bonds and 501(c)(3) bonds. With his long standing relationship with the community, he worked on various legal aspects of the development, construction and financing of many of the projects along Augusta’s Riverwalk.

Doug had a passion for horses and enjoyed any activity that involved horses. Over the years he was active in Hunter Jumpers, Thoroughbred Race Horses, 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 route 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.

Mr. Batchelor is survived by his children, Douglas “deVane” Batchelor, III (Tiphani) of Augusta, Thomas “Tom” Blanchard Batchelor (Nicole) of Augusta, and Julia Anne (Julie Anne) Batchelor Hubert (Mike) of Evans; eight grandchildren, Lauren Anne Batchelor, Catherine (Kate) Monahan, Myron Fowler, Jr., Douglas Hinson Fowler, Denver Owen Hubert, Michael Austin Hubert, Matthew Thomas Hubert and Evan Christopher Hubert; siblings, Rebecca Schatt (Jamie), Alberta Blecke (Jim), and Hollis Batchelor (Shawna) and sisters-in-law Lynda P. Blanchard, Anne B. Czura (John) and brother-in-law James “Jimmy” Blanchard (Jane) and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family. Mr. Batchelor’s family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to Doug’s special caregiver, Samiah Carter, who provided exceptional care for him.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Church of the Good Shepherd, 2230 Walton Way, Augusta, GA 30904, The Loggerhead Sea Turtle Project, 53 Windsor Court, Edisto Beach, SC 29438, or to the Region 5 Youth Cutting Scholarship, 665 Industrial Park Drive, Evans, GA 30809.

The family will receive friends at 10:00 A.M., April 10, 2024 at The Church of the Good Shepherd, Walton Way. The service will follow at 11:00 A.M. with Rev. Ted Clarkson officiating. Burial will follow at Summerville Cemetery.