Keen business inclinations, dedication to his work, and commitment to Alabama’s philanthropic community permeate all aspects of Young Jacob Boozer, Jr.’s life. Born July 9, 1912, to Young Jacob and Gipsy Hall Boozer, Young Boozer, the eldest of four children, began at the early age of five to accept family responsibility upon his father’s death. A native of Noma, Florida, he developed business ideologies at an early age and cultivated them at The University of Alabama where he earned a Bachelor of Science in 1936.
His affiliations and activities while at The University of Alabama proved to be an indicator of what he would eventually contribute to the Alabama business and philanthropic communities.
Young Boozer’s interests spanned academic, athletic, and social organizations. He played for the Crimson Tide football and baseball teams from 1934-1936. He served as president of the Junior Class in the Commerce School and the University Cotillion Club. He was secretary-treasurer of the “A” Club and a member of Jasons, an honor fraternity, and Sigma Nu, a social fraternity.
Following graduation from the University, Young Boozer entered the banking industry in Dothan, Alabama, working for First National Bank of Dothan. From 1939 to 1943 he was employed by the State of Alabama Department of Insurance as an insurance examiner. During this time he married his late wife, Phyllis Chamberlain. They had three children: Jo Ann Boozer Ray, Ellen Boozer Daly, and Young J. Boozer, III.
After serving in the U.S. Navy from 1943- 1945, Boozer was discharged as Lieutenant, Senior Grade. He then returned to his position with the Department of Insurance. The return was a short one. Boozer then entered another phase of his career.
Over the next twelve years, Boozer was involved in numerous business developments and associations. He served as the secretary-treasurer and general manager of Dixie Sporting Goods, a partner in the Evans Motion Picture Company and Hayes, Gilchrist ChrisCraft Sales and was state director of the Savings Bond Division. It was during this phase of his career that Boozer established lifelong relationships with bankers and insurance executives statewide.
In 1959, Boozer returned to Tuscaloosa, as president and treasurer of Cotton States Life Insurance Company where he worked until 1973. Under his leadership, the company became an integral component of the Tuscaloosa business community.
In 1974, Cotton States Life Insurance Company was acquired by Federated Guaranty, which would become known as ALFA Insurance. Boozer again aligned himself with top management and served as the senior vice president and a director of the ALFA Corporation. Boozer retired from the board in 1999 after 25 years of service, during which ALFA grew from $16 million in assets to $1.247 billion.
Just a few years after beginning his career with ALFA, Boozer joined another business venture, which would prove to be very successful. In 1981, Boozer, along with business associates formed Colonial BancGroup. The business started with one location and has grown to more than 250 locations and $10.7 billion in total assets. Boozer served on the board of directors from 1981-1998, and his contribution to the development of the company is very evident.
“Young Boozer has been a friend of my family for all of my life. His business acumen and practical skills were greatly valued by my father in his relationship with Young at Farm Bureau (ALFA), and it was natural when we started Colonial BancGroup for Young to be a founding director. From our beginnings at $165 million and one bank, to today’s Colonial at $10.7billion, Young’s influence, advice, and counsel have been invaluable,” said Bobby Lowder, Chairman, and CEO of Colonial BancGroup.
Only his philanthropic work and service to The University of Alabama rival Boozer’s business accomplishments.
Boozer’s commitment to The University of Alabama is evidenced by the positions he has held and the awards and recognition he has received for his service. In 1989, he was the Paul W. Bryant Alumni-Athlete Award recipient. He is the co-chairman of the Paul W Bryant Museum Committee and a member of the President’s Cabinet for the University.
Boozer’s past business affiliations have enriched the University through scholarship endowments. He is the honoree of a $100,000 endowed fellowship fund established at the University by Colonial BancGroup.
As a member of the University’s Capital Campaign Steering Committee and the Committee for the Paul W. Bryant/Alumni Continuing Education Center, Boozer uses his experience as a business and industry leader to guide and advise these groups.
Boozer is also active in The University of Alabama National Alumni Association and has contributed time and financial resources to numerous College of Commerce and Business Administration organizations. He was the chairman of the Board of Visitors for C&BA and is co-chairman of the Commerce Executives Society.
Boozer’s influence, while statewide in scope, is concentrated in the Tuscaloosa area. He has served as the director or president of numerous Tuscaloosa businesses: First Alabama Bank, Southland Bank Corporation, Tuscaloosa Enterprises, Old Union Life Insurance Company, Tuscaloosa Hotel Company, Southland Insurance and Penn Media, Inc.
Coupled with Boozer’s service to the community is his dedication to philanthropic efforts, which makes him not only one of Alabama’s greatest businessmen but one of its greatest citizens.
His work spans a diversified group of organizations. He has served as the director for the National Kidney Foundation of Alabama, Alabama Chapter of the American Cancer Society, and the Alabama 4-H Club. He was the chairman of the Druid City Hospital Medical Clinic Board. Other organizations in which he has held the position of the director include the Alabama Heart Association, Alabama Chapter of the Leukemia Society of America, Inc., American Red Cross, and Salvation Army.
His athletic excellence has been recognized by having been named in 1961 a Sports Illustrated Silver Anniversary All-American, and by his induction into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, Class of 1993.
From athletics to philanthropic efforts to service to The University of Alabama, Young Boozer has made a name for himself throughout the state. His willingness to give so freely of himself has won him not only awards and recognition but also the attention and respect of those who are inspired by his selfless dedication.
His son, Young J. Boozer, III, describes his father as a person who is attentive to a higher responsibility, honor, and integrity: “Young Boozer is a successful businessman, but more importantly, he is one of integrity and honor. While others may have been driven by absolute self-interest, he acted with the best of intentions and accomplished much without thought of personal gain or reward. It can be said that he built his net worth more in reputation than in dollars. Nevertheless, both have grown to be substantial.”
