Douglas Wayne Gattis, Sr.
Douglas Wayne Gattis, Sr., 87, died on Monday, August 12, 2019, with his family at his bedside at The Mann House in Cumming, Georgia. Born in Gattistown, Tennessee and raised in Fayetteville, Tennessee, Doug had lived in the Atlanta area since 1957.
Doug was born on May 28, 1932 and was lovingly raised by his parents Charles Wilson Gattis and Agnes Preston Tripp Gattis. Doug had four older and adoring sisters—Virginia Tripp Dickey, Mattie Tripp Moorehead, Lyda Gattis Mullins, Francis Gattis Hines; and two half-brothers, Wilson Dickey and M.L. Dickey. Doug was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters, his half-brother Wilson Dickey, and his wife of fifty-five years June Whitehead Gattis.
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mily: Helvetica;">Doug served in the U.S. Air Force and was a Korean War Veteran. Following his stint in the military, he married Melna June Whitehead in March 1954, and cherished each of the fifty-five years they shared together. They had two children—son Doug Jr. and daughter Tamera. A follower of Christ, Doug attended North Atlanta Church of Christ and in recent years, Grace Chapel Church of Christ. Doug worked for Life Insurance Company of Georgia in Atlanta for thirty-eight years and retired as Vice-President of Human Resources. He enjoyed playing golf and racquetball—and was known in the latter sport for his quick-fire "Tennessee Shot."
In retirement, he served in the Anchor Ministry at North Atlanta Church of Christ, a ministry dedicated to providing spiritual support and encouragement to recovering alcohol and drug addicts. He also served in the Jail Ministry at Grace Chapel, sharing the light and hope Jesus brought to his own life.
Following June’s death in August 2009, he crossed paths again with a childhood friend, Esta Maude Higgins. Esta had been widowed for 37 years. She and Doug had dated during high school and then went their separate ways, only to find their paths intersecting most happily again in these later years. They married in 2011 and lived in Ball Ground until Doug entered memory care in February 2018.
Family was the highlight of Doug’s life. He treasured time with his four grandchildren (Kelsey, Doug III, Kurt, and Dillon) and took such pride in their accomplishments. Doug’s quick wit, kindness, compassion, and gentle wisdom blessed his family beyond words. He enjoyed traveling and has now embarked on the greatest adventure of all—an eternity with Christ.
Doug, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother is survived by his wife, Esta Brian Gattis; his son, Douglas W. Gattis, Jr. and wife Jackie Denard Gattis, and their two sons Douglas Wayne Gattis, III and wife Lauryn Gattis, and Dillon James Gattis; his daughter Tamera Gattis Alexander and husband Joe F. Alexander, and their daughter Kelsey Lynn Alexander, and son Joseph Kurt Alexander; and half-brother M.L. Dickey.
In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to The Anchor Ministry at North Atlanta Church of Christ (more information can be found at give.nacofc.org—click on Gattis Anchor Memorial—or call the church office at 770-399-5222).
You’re invited to join our family in celebrating the life of Douglas Wayne Gattis, Sr., on Wednesday, August 21, 2019 at the North Atlanta Church of Christ then to join the processional afterward to Georgia National Cemetery in Canton for the burial.
10:00 AM - 10:30 Visitation with family at North Atlanta Church of Christ (5676 Roberts Drive, Dunwoody, GA 30338; church office # 770-399-5222)
10:30 - 12:00 PM Life Celebration at North Atlanta Church of Christ
12:00 - 12:30 Line up for processional to Georgia National Cemetery
12:30 - 1:30 Drive to Georgia National Cemetery (1080 Scott Hudgens Dr, Canton, GA 30114)
1:30 - 1:45 Arrive at Georgia National Cemetery and line up for processional to pavilion
2:00 - 2:20 Military burial honors at pavilion
If circumstances prevent you from attending the celebration, we’d so appreciate your prayers on that day and in the ones to come as we strive to honor Dad’s life.
