David Alton English

David Alton English Sr., 79, passed away May 11, 2016 in Griffin. Mr. English was born in Lamar County on April 30, 1937. He was educated in the Old Milner School System and Gordon Military College. Mr. English joined the U.S. Navy in 1954, serving on the U.S.S. Manchester. The main purpose of that ship was to escort fallen soldiers from the Korean War back to Hawaii. He then transferred to the USS. Worcester for return trips to Korea, Philippines, Guam, Japan and China. His active service ended after four years in 1958, and he served for more years in the Navy Reserve, receiving an honorable discharge with a rank of 3rd Class Gunner’s Mate in 1962. He married the love of his life, Grace McGhee English on March 28, 1959. Mr. English was a career driver for Kroger, retiring in 2001 after 29 years of employment. He loved the great outdoors and was an avid fisherman. As much as he loved to fish, he also loved to cook the catch of the day for his family and friends. Mr. English's "Heaven on Earth" was his beloved lake in Lamar County, where he spent many hours fishing on his deck and "talking to his animal friends." Above all else, Mr. English dearly loved his family and was a dedicated and loving caretaker, husband, father and beloved grandfather. He will be greatly missed by all who loved and knew him. He was a lifelong member of Rock Springs Congregational Methodist Church, where his ancestors were founding members. In 1980, Mr. English’s father cut, gathered and planed the wood for the sanctuary, now the Children's Building. Mr. English was proceeded in death by his parents, Troy and Doris English; father-in-law and mother-in-law Rev. Hoyt and Laura McGhee; sister, Josie English brothers and sister-in-law, Milton and Cornelia English; Larry English and Phyllis English; brother-in-law Paul Peek; brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws Norman and Vivian McGhee, John and Olenia Morris, and Hilda Jett. Mr. English is survived by his wife Grace McGhee English; son and daughter-in-law David and April English; son and daughter-in-law, Dennis and Dottie English; his beloved "grandgirls," Chandler English, Claire Ann English and Caroline English plus mother of Caroline, Katheryne Fields, all of Griffin; brother and sister-in-laws: Wayne and Esther English of Milner; brother-in-law and sister-in-laws Wynn and Yvonne McGhee of Tampa; Ben and Jeanette McMichael; Harold and Phyliss Shepherd; Hilton and Katrina McGhee; David and Norma McGhee; Tommy Jett, all of Griffin plus Carol English of Milner along with several nieces, nephews, family members and friends. Visitation and funeral services will be held at Rock Springs Church, 219 Rock Springs Road in Milner, Friday, May 13 with visitation at 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. funeral services with Dr. Randy Valimont officiating. Burial will follow in the English family plot in the Rock Springs Church Cemetery.

David Alton English

April 30, 1937 - May 11, 2016