For over a century, the Boardman family has been one of Augusta’s most well-known and beloved families, and Dickey Boardman was its undisputed modern patriarch. Boardman died June 30 after an extended illness.
The Boardmans came to prominence in 1904 when Hollis Boardman founded Boardman Petroleum Co. His grandson, Clayton Boardman Jr., would transform the business into the iconic Smile Gas.
During Smile’s heyday in the 1970s and 1980s, it was almost impossible to drive a full mile without seeing the yellow smiley face marquee. There was hardly any competition from other gasoline retailers because the Boardmans were committed to keeping gas prices as low as possible even if they made little to no profit when gas prices spiked.
Back in the day, hardly anyone said, “I need to go up to the gas station.”
Instead, everyone said, “I need to run to Smile.”
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It was an Augusta thing.
It was Dickey Boardman who would help steer the family towards the real estate business.
After graduating from the University of Georgia, Boardman returned to Augusta where he got into real estate. According to virtually everyone who knew him, his work ethic and personal charm almost guaranteed that he would be a massive success in his chosen career.
E.G. Meybohm remembers first meeting Boardman nearly 50 years ago. Boardman worked for Meybohm’s competitor and upon first meeting him, Meybohm said that he had to have him on his staff.
It would become a partnership that would last a half century.
“He was easy going and also very capable. He was willing to do anything,” Meybohm said.
Meybohm explained how the late Boardman got his nickname, Ole Hoss.
“Dickey met so many people and folks would come up to him on the street and strike up a conversation and sometimes he couldn’t remember their name, so he took to calling everyone ‘Ole Hoss.’ Before long, people started calling him Ole Hoss,” said Meybohm.
Boardman would rise up to eventually become senior vice president of Meybohm Reality.
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Through marriage, the Boardman family has been long intertwined with another well-known family, the Claussen family of Claussen’s Bakery fame. George Claussen IV, who followed his family’s legacy into the food service industry and co-owns Southbound Smokehouse and Drift Raw Bar, said that while Boardman was technically his uncle, he really considered him more as a grandfather figure.
“He treated everyone as his equal. He was a true southern gentleman,” Claussen said. “What can I say? Dickey was just on his own level.”
The Boardmans have long been known for community involvement and philanthropy, but they have never been the kind of people to broadcast their achievements. Family members say that Ole Hoss was no different, and he quietly served the community that he loved.
Former Augusta Mayor Deke Copenhaver, who was a nephew-in-law to Boardman, said that when his wife Malisa’s father Bruz Boardman died, Ole Hoss slipped into the role of the family patriarch.
“He would come over to the house, sit by the pool and quite literally hold court. Even though he was in poor health lately, he never complained,” Copenhaver said.
His death leaves a void for his family and friends.
“Dickey was the last one left, and we already miss him,” Claussen said.
Scott Hudson is the Senior Reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com.
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