Douglas John Mayer passed peacefully in his sleep, Sunday, Aug. 16, at home surrounded by family. Doug adopted Dawson County as his home in 1985 when he and his wife, Pamela West Mayer, moved from Marietta. They built their home and glass studio on the Little Amicalola with the help of family and friends adding new friends as they settled in.
Doug was an assistant Scout leader while their son, Brian, was involved in Scouts. Being involved in Scouting led to Doug’s volunteer work in the Upper Etowah River Alliance and Georgia’s Adopt-A-Stream. He monitored both the Big and Little Amicalola for many years for its chemical and biological health. Doug’s diligence won him the Upper Etowah River Alliance Adopt-A-Stream award for his contribution.
Doug and Pam were part of the original group that founded the Dawson Arts Council and worked tirelessly to restore the “old rock school” that became the Bowen Center for the Arts.
Born in Ft. Wayne, Ind. in 1940, Doug graduated from Purdue University in 1964 with a degree in Chemistry. Unhappy with the corporate world, Doug turned a hobby making glass art into Substantial Lion Glass Studio. For 42 years they created commercial and residential glass artwork for national and international clients. Doug was a master craftsman who was even contracted by other studios for his expertise.
Doug is predeceased by his parents, Lester Mayer and Velma Maulsby; sister, Joan, and brother, Richard. He is survived by his wife, Pamela West Mayer; sister, Sandra Talbert of Borrego Springs, Calif.; children, Toby Smith of Marble Hill, Jennifer Kobres (Erick) of Lawrenceville, Spencer Smith (Nichole) of Marietta, and Brian Mayer of Atlanta; and grandchildren, Christian Kobres (PeiYing), Jasmine Kobres, Mackenzie Smith, and Summer Smith.
A formal service will not be held at this time.
If you wish to honor Doug’s memory, please donate to either Northeast Georgia Medical Center Hospice, 2150 Limestone Parkway Suite 222, Gainesville, GA, 30501, or to the Upper Etowah River Alliance, P.O. Box 4893, Canton, GA 30114.
Dawson County News, September 2, 2020