Beverly (Bev) Franklin Dolan, 90, died on February 21, 2018.
Bev was born in Augusta, Georgia, on November 9, 1927, the son of Mr. and Mrs. William Arthur Dolan.
He attended William Robinson Elementary School and graduated from the Academy of Richmond County. He then served a year in the Merchant Marines.
After graduating from the University of Georgia, he served two years in the United States Army. One year into his military service, he married Ada Alice Parramore from Valdosta, Georgia.
In June 1954, Bev and his brother, William (Billy) Arthur Dolan, Jr., founded the E-Z-Go Golf Car Corporation, which became the leader in the golf car industry. His long and successful association with Textron began when E-Z-Go was acquired in 1960.
During his career, Bev was president of E-Z-Go, Polaris, Homelite, and also became President, CEO and Chairman of Textron. Under his leadership, Textron purchased Excello, Avco, and Cessna, among other acquisitions, increasing Textron’s sales ten-fold in approximately five years.
Bev served on the Board of Directors for First Union Bank (now Wells Fargo), Factory Mutual Insurance Company, New York Stock Exchange, Ruddick Corporation, Polaris Industries and Florida Power and Light.
Family members, in addition to his wife, include children: Beverly Franklin (Frank) Dolan, Jr., (married to Cathy) and William (Will) Cleckley Dolan (married to Nelia). Grandchildren include: Beverly Franklin (Franklin) Dolan, III, William Christian (Christian) Dolan, Ada Alice (Her Majesty) Dolan, William Cleckley (Wilkes) Dolan, Jr., and Ellison Elizabeth Dolan.
Bev loved life and tried to fully enjoy each day. He loved Ada Alice and was quick to give her praise. He loved his sons Frank and William and their wives, Cathy and Nelia. The grandchildren were a delight to him.
He enjoyed his community of friends at Quail Hollow, Charlotte, NC; Lost Tree Club in North Palm Beach, Florida; and Esseola Lodge in Linville, North Carolina.
Bev enjoyed outdoor activities with his friends and family. He was a “people person” and a champion for the underdog. He was a benefactor of Hale House of Augusta as well as for a number of individuals, with little or no fanfare.
Rev. Dan McCall and Rev. Dick Thompson of Lost Tree Village, Florida, will conduct graveside funeral services in Westover Memorial Park, 2601 Wheeler Road, Augusta, Georgia 30904, on Tuesday, February 27, 2018, at 2:00 pm.
The family will receive guests immediately following the service at 808 Milledge Road, Augusta, Georgia 30904.
In lieu of flowers, the family wishes contributions be made to the Hale Foundation at 402 Walker Street, Augusta, Georgia 30901.
Published in Charlotte Observer on Feb. 26, 2018