Douglas Coleman Birmingham, 76, a lifetime resident of Wewahitchka, FL, passed away on
March 1, 2025. He was born on October 8, 1948 to Coleman Hooten and Irjaria Mae "Janice"
Birmingham in Port St. Joe, FL. Doug graduated from Wewahitchka High School in 1966 and
attended Troy State University where he received a BS degree in History and Business. He was
a devoted husband and father, but his greatest love was being a Granddaddy.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Rebecca Birmingham, his children Matthew Birmingham
(Bridget) and Judith Ann Birmingham, his pride and joy grandchildren Breanna Wood (Buddy),
Aubrey Birmingham, Emma Birmingham and Anthony Birmingham, great-granddaughter Blair
Wood, sisters Galena Pippin and Connie Shavers (Morris), special nephew Ralph Rish (Kara)
and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Joyce
Groom.
He owned and operated Gulf Track Service for 14 years which served as a central hub in town
for morning coffee and conversation.
Doug's life was spent in service to his community. He started his career in Child Protective
Services with the state before leaving to start Gulf Track Service in 1975. The same year he
was elected to the Wewahitchka City Commission, followed by elections to the Gulf County
Board of County Commissioners in 1978, 1982 and 1986. From 1989 to 2000 he served as the
Chief Deputy Clerk of the Circuit Court of Gulf County before being elected as Clerk of the
Circuit Court where he served until 2004. From 2008 -2025 he served on the Board for Gulf
Coast Electric Cooperative and was President from 2018-2021. One of his proudest civic
accomplishments was to help organize and serve as president of the Wewahitchka Little
League Association for four years. Other acts of service include volunteering with the Cancer
Society, as Chairman of the March of Dimes walk-a-thon, President of the Wewahitchka
Jaycees and as President of both the Wewahitchka and Port St. Joe Rotary Clubs. Additionally,
he was a member of the Masonic Lodge Tupelo 289 for the past 50 years.
Doug had a deep love and appreciation for the river and passed on his knowledge of it to his
son and grandson. Many hours were spent there fishing, hunting, socializing and teaching all of
us to love it too. He was a well-known hunting dog owner and "Chief" of the SlaughterHouse
Nation hunting club where he prided himself on taking excellent care of his hunting dogs. Fun
loving and outgoing, Doug enjoyed time with friends and living life to the fullest.
The role that was most important to him was being a Granddaddy; he never denied his
grandchildren his time or effort. He never missed a game, event or ceremony. No matter the
time or day, he was always willing to take them wherever they wanted to go. He and his
grandson were regulars at the Dixie Dandy in the early morning hours of the weekends for a
sausage biscuit before heading out to the woods to hunt. He could often be seen with a truck full
of grandkids after picking them up from school or hauling them off somewhere they wanted to
go.
The family asks that you remember him as a good friend and amazing family man who had a
positive impact on the community and the lives of all he touched. He was honorable, kind, fun
and most of all loved.
Services will be held at the First United Methodist Church of Wewahitchka on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at
2pm CST. Visitation will be at the church from 1-2 pm CST. Interment will follow at Jehu Cemetery. In lieu of
flowers the family requests you make a donation to the church or charity of your choice.