Gary Leon Flanders

Gary Leon Flanders, 71, of Tifton, passed away on Thursday, April 5, 2018 at Tift Regional Medical Center.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, April 8 at 3:00 p.m. in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints with Bishop Derron Spikes officiating. The speakers will be Bro. Derrell Spikes and President Timmy Fussel. Interment to follow in Hickory Springs Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:30 to 2:45 p.m. before the service at the church.

Pallbearers will be Rich Damewood, Brandon Damewood, Ed Tucker, Ed Tucker, Jr., Chad Draper, Simmy McKeown, Steve Hall and Jorge Patino.

Mr. Flanders was born November 10, 1946 in Dade County, Florida to the late Leon Mack Flanders and Doris Norfleet Flanders. He is survived by his loving wife, Emily Suzanne Rice Flanders, to whom he was married for thirty-four years. Mr. Flanders was a member of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and had lived in Tifton since 1971. He was a Veteran of the United States Army serving in Viet Nam where he received a Commendation For Valor. Following his military career, he went to work for ALCOA as sales manager and later district sales manager where he retired in 2006. He loved his family and was very active in his church where he served as bishop three different times. While living in Delhi, Louisiana he served his church for four years as branch president. In his earlier days he was an avid golfer and softball pitcher. In his later days he loved to read and sing gospel music. He had a beautiful tenor voice and carried the love of Christ in his heart.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Flanders is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law, Becky and Rich Damewood of Ocoee, Fla, Cindy and Ed Tucker of Omega and Amy and Chad Draper of Festus, Missouri; one son and daughter-in-law, Simmy and Brandy McKeown of Tifton; nine grandchildren and seven great grandchildren; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Judy and Marvin Slappey of Americus and Joan and Lee Saxon of Peachtree City.

Albritton Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.