Final Salute

Oldest son of Jewell and Nellie Fay Gilreath. He was a graduate of Lumpkin County High School, Class of 1960. He married Dorothy Jean Welch of Dahlonega, GA in 1963. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy Construction Battalion in 1960, serving for over 10 years in Scotland, Spain, Morocco, Cuba, Vietnam, and Antarctica, and completing his service as an E6. Honors, medals, and campaigns include: Equipment Operator 1st Class, Da Nang Vietnam 1966/67, AF Exp. Service, Good Conduct- 2 Stars, Antarctica Service- Winter over 1964, Navy Exp. medal- Cuba 1960, Vietnam Service- 2 Stars. He worked for Atlanta Natural Light and Gas before leading the Lumpkin County Farmers’ Co-Op while driving a bus for the Lumpkin County School System. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Dorothy; and youngest brother, Linny. He is survived by his two daughters, Michelle and Walita Gilreath; grandchildren, Savannah Henderson, Nickolas Gilreath, and Kayla Ray; brother, Dwayne Gilreath; nieces, Kathy Miller, Doris Conner, Lynn Wimpy Dale, and Krista Cash; nephews Mike and Clint Wimpy, and Ritchie and Adam Gilreath; and second wife, Frances Gilreath.