Albert "A.J." John Dooley, Sr.

Albert John Dooley, Sr. “A.J.” passed away peacefully surrounded by his children on September 8, 2022 at the age of 92. He was the son of the late Velma and Oscar Dooley. He was the loving husband of the late Connie S. Dooley for 55 years and the late Elizabeth Dooley. He was the loving father of Robert G. Miller (deceased) (Susan), Albert “Bert” J. Dooley, Jr. (Cindy), Allen L. Dooley (Lynn), Sandra Dooley Parker (Mike, deceased), Eric Conway Dooley (deceased) and Nancy Dooley Tarlton (Gregg). He was the loving grandfather of Paul Miller, Joseph Miller (deceased), Trey Dooley, Jessica Floyd, Megan Wright, Erica Ellis, Lee Dooley (deceased), Lauren Black, Aubrey Dooley, Josie Tarlton and Claire Tarlton. He was also the loving great-grandfather of Jonah Miller, Caleb Miller, Jack Dooley, Will Dooley, Ella Floyd, Parker Floyd, Jax Floyd, Liv Ellis, Reese Ellis, Chloe Black, Peyton Black, Westin Black, Miller Black, Connor Cook and Brock Wright.

A.J. was a proud graduate of Lexington High School, the University of South Carolina and the University of South Carolina School of Law. He was a retired attorney who began his practice in 1954 as the founding partner of The Dooley Law Firm.

A.J. loved his church family, the Lexington community, and the state of South Carolina. He was a lifelong member of St. David Lutheran Church where he served in many capacities over his long life, including Lutheran Church Men, Church Council, and Committee of 100. He also taught Sunday school for over 30 years. He leaves a legacy of public service, having been a member of the Lexington County School District One School Board, Lexington County Council, Lexington Chamber of Commerce, Lexington Lions Club, South Carolina House of Representatives and South Carolina State Senate. He was the last surviving original founding shareholder of the Lexington State Bank, former national board member of BB&T and member of the 6-51 Club. He served on many charitable committees and boards throughout his life and was a proud veteran of the US Army.

A.J.’s passion for children in the community and his love of sports led him to organize the first youth football program in Lexington. Using his own money and support from the community, he often served as director, coach, and referee. He was inducted into the Lexington High School Hall of Fame where he was the announcer for the football games for over 30 years.

A.J. was a humble and compassionate man but was “bigger than life” to those who met him. He loved writing and reciting classical poetry. He was an avid outdoorsman and traveled extensively with his family. His accomplishments were many, but his greatest joy was being daddy, granddaddy and great-granddaddy.

Funeral services will be held at St. David Lutheran Church at 3:00 pm on Sunday, September 11, 2022, with interment to follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel on Saturday, September 10, 2022, from 5:00 - 7:00 pm.

Our family would like to express sincere appreciation to Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community and Solutions for Living At Home for the past year and a half of loving care. We’d like to extend a special thank you to Hayward Thompson with Solutions for his compassionate friendship and faithful devotion to our daddy.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. David Lutheran Church, 132 St. Davids Church Road, West Columbia, SC 29170.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.caughmanlexington.com for the Dooley family.