James Logie Dobie

James Logie Dobie of Auburn, Alabama, died on June 29, 2017. Jim was born on March 3, 1934, in El Dorado, Arkansas, the second child of Ruth and Walter Dobie. He attended public school, graduating from El Dorado High School in 1952. He then enrolled at Centenary College in Shreveport, Louisiana, earning a B.S. in biology in 1956. Jim met his wife-to-be, Wanda Allen, at Centenary, where they both sang in the Centenary College Choir. They were married in Brown Chapel at Centenary on May 28, 1956, by the Rev. Walter Allen, Wanda’s father.

            In the fall of 1956, Jim entered Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he earned an M.S. and Ph.D. in biology. His first teaching experience was at St. Martin’s Episcopal School in Metairie, Louisiana, while he was still at Tulane, and then at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. In 1967, he began a 29-year teaching career at Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama. Jim’s area of expertise was in herpetology, specifically with turtles, an area in which he continued to do research even after retiring.

            Jim and Wanda led active lives in Auburn, raising two children and making lasting friendships. Jim retired from Auburn University in 1996 as professor emeritus. Jim and Wanda then moved to Kerrville, Texas, and lived on Tierra Linda Ranch. They enjoyed traveling overseas and in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. In Auburn and Kerrville, Jim was an active member of First Presbyterian Church, serving as an elder in Auburn. He served on the boards of the Riverside Nature Center and Friends of the Butt-Holdsworth Memorial Library in Kerrville. In 2012, Jim and Wanda returned to Auburn.

            Jim is survived by his wife of 61 years and his two children, Gregory A. Dobie of Los Angeles, California, and Laura Walker (Scott) of Auburn. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Ruth Dobie, Pensacola, Florida; a brother, Charles Walter Dobie (Ann), Lafayette, Louisiana; a brother, George Leslie Dobie (Jackie), Mt. Hermon, Louisiana; and numerous nieces and nephews.

          A loving husband and father, Jim appreciated the world of nature and enjoyed sharing his knowledge with his family and friends and the many students he taught.

            A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Auburn on Monday, July 10 at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Auburn University Museum of Natural History, First Presbyterian Church or the REACH program at Auburn United Methodist Church.

                Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home directing

                www.jeffcoattrant.com

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