Donald Loyd During, Sr., 71, of Fitzgerald, Georgia, died Thursday, December 17, 2020, at Dorminy Medical Center in Fitzgerald, Georgia.
Funeral services will be held 2 PM, Sunday, December 20, 2020, at Westside Baptist Church, in Fitzgerald, with the Rev. Jimmy Cargle and the Rev. Dr. Brent Duncan officiating. Interment will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday evening, at Westside Baptist Church in Fitzgerald, Georgia, from 6 PM until 8 PM.
Mr. During was born September 16, 1949, in Irwinville, Georgia, to the late L.D. & Margaret Theus During. He lived in the community all of his life and was a 1969 graduate of Irwin County High School. Mr. During loved fishing, playing pool and playing golf with his family and friends. He treasured spending time with his family and friends and was always willing to help anyone in need. He enjoyed telling jokes to anyone that would listen. Mr. During retired from General Telephone, Alltel and East Central Technical College. He also retired from the National Guard as a Major. He was a member and Past Master of Pine Level Lodge #353 F. & A.M. and longtime Treasurer; Past District Deputy to the Grand Master; member of the Hasan Shrine in Albany, Georgia; a very active member in the Ben Hillbilly Unit and past Commander of Legion Honor; local Commander of the Georgia State Defense Force and a longtime member of Sons of Confederate Veterans. He also served as a City Councilman and a County Commissioner. Mr. During was a member and deacon of Westside Baptist Church and he loved going to church and serving.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Darlene During of Fitzgerald; two sons: Donald & Amy During, Jr. of Fitzgerald and Rev. David & Angela During of Valdosta; a daughter, Leslie During Sumner of Tifton; four granddaughters: Chelsea & Dalton Dowling of Fitzgerald, Abigail Sumner of Tifton, Emily During of Valdosta and Bryanna Sumner of Tifton; one great-granddaughter, Blair Miller of Tifton; two brothers: Lavon & Debbie During of Ocilla and Johnny During of Holiday, Florida; a sister, Peggy & Bob Martin of Ocilla; a host of nieces and nephews and the Pope family. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters: Myra Register and Dianne During Chandler.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, % Hasan Shrine, 1822 Palmyra Road, Albany, Georgia, 31701