Douglas William Bostick

Douglas “Doug” William Bostick, 70, of Charleston, South Carolina, husband of Karen Finkelnburg Bostick, died on Tuesday, October 24, 2023. 

His Funeral Service will be held at 2:30 pm on Saturday, October 28, 2023, at Old St. Andrew’s Parish Church, 2604 Ashley River Road, Charleston, SC 29414. Burial will follow the service in the church cemetery, with a reception immediately after in the church fellowship hall. The family will receive friends Saturday in the church courtyard from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm. 

He was born on August 29, 1953, at Camp Roberts in San Miguel, California. He was the son of Virginia Mae Taylor Bostick and the late Trusdell Lanewood Bostick, Jr. 

Doug was an 8th generation South Carolinian with his South Carolina ancestors dating back to colonial America. He was a graduate of the College of Charleston and earned his master’s degree from the University of South Carolina. He was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order and served as the Province Commander for South Carolina and was inducted into the South Carolina Province Court of Honor. He was also incredibly honored to be a member of the Washington Light Infantry and the Palmetto Guard. Doug was pleased to serve as Chairman of the Lee Bicentennial Commission of Charleston, the Commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the Firing on Fort Sumter, and the First Shot Committee. He was a vestry member of Old St. Andrew’s Parish Church. 

Doug was the author of 26 books and his knowledge of history was enhanced by a raconteur’s gift for storytelling. During his work as the executive director of Save the Light, Inc., he led the negotiations between Save the Light and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, thus securing the preservation of the Morris Island Lighthouse. He was exceedingly proud to be the executive director and CEO of the South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust, a land trust that preserves battlefields in the Palmetto State. Throughout his work as CEO with the Trust, he successfully grew the preservation of battlefields from 14 to 72 sites, which created his vision of The Liberty Trail. He also spearheaded the Camden Burials on April 20 - 22, 2023. 

In Doug’s work with historic preservation, he received the Book of Golden Deeds award for his decades of service as a preservation leader and humanitarian. He was particularly passionate about the protection of Fort Johnson on James Island, first working with the South Carolina Legislature to acquire a parcel from the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Mercy. More recently, Doug led the Battleground Trust purchase of another Fort Johnson parcel which closed the day before his passing. 

As a statutory partner in South Carolina’s American Revolution 250th Commission, he led the South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust to help implement historic research and heritage tourism infrastructure so that these thirteen years of the 250th have an indelible and lasting impact on the students, citizenry, counties, and economy of our State for the next 100 years and for generations to come after us.

Doug is preceded in death by his father, Trusdell Lanewood Bostick, Jr. and his brother-in-law, Roy Arnold Ferguson. 

Doug is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Karen Finkelnburg Bostick; daughter, Katherine Anne Bostick of Ravenel, SC; and two sons: William Brooks Bostick (Elizabeth) of Boulder, CO and Jordan Taylor Bostick of Charleston, SC; grandson, William Callen Bostick; and his mother, Virginia Mae Taylor Bostick. He is additionally survived by his siblings: Steven Wayne Bostick (Dana); Michael Ray Bostick (Jan); Paul Lanewood Bostick (Cheryl); Sheri Bostick Ferguson; Patti Bostick Mitchum (Brian); and Suzanne Bostick Olvera (Santos). 

Flowers will be accepted, or memorial contributions may be made to the South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust, P.O. Box 80668, Charleston, South Carolina, 29416. 

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at www.mcalister-smith.com. 

Arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, 2501 Bees Ferry Road, Charleston, SC 29414 (843) 722-8371.