Garred Douglas "Dick" Wellman

Mr. Garred Douglas "Dick" Wellman age 82 of Forest Park passed away June 30, 2018. The Wellman family moved to Ashland, Kentucky in the early 1940's. Dick graduated from Ashland Senior High School in 1954. He joined the Marine Corp Reserves in 1953 and began active duty after his graduation. He served in the Marine Corp from 1954-1956. After leaving the Marine Corp, Dick worked at Armco Steel Corporation in Ashland, Kentucky. He founded the Kentucky Creative Art Club. In 1961, Dick joined the US Army and married Shirley Ruth Kemper of Ashland, Kentucky. They began their married life together in Fort Carson, Colorado where he was assigned to the 94th Ordinance Detachment. Dick attended E.O.D. school in Indian Head, Maryland in 1963. In 1965, Dick was transferred to the 175th Ordinance Detachment in Verdun France and then the 168th E.O.D Control in Manheim Germany in 1967. He moved his family to Fort Sheridan, Illinois in 1968 where he was assigned to the 51st E.O.D. Dick signed up to go to Danang, Vietnam in 1970 where he was assigned to the 268th E.O.D. and Long Bein, where he was with the 533rd E.O.D.C. After returning from the war, he joined the E.O.D. at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama in 1971. In 1973, the family made their final move to Forest Park, Georgia where Dick joined the 47th Control Detachment and the 13th Ordinance Detachment. Dick retired from the US Army on August 31, 1979. He was a Master Sergeant and received the Bronze Star and two Combat medals. After Dick's retirement, he attended the Art Institute of Atlanta where he graduated on June 18, 1982 with his Visual Communication Associate in Art Degree. He also received an Honor Award and Award of Merit. He enjoyed his time at the Art Institute of Atlanta as an instructor as well. Following his college career, Dick worked at JCPenney in advertising for 15 years and also worked in the warehouse. After retiring a second time, he went to work at Chick-fil-A at the corporate offices, serving in the employee kitchen. Garred Wellman is a member of Grace Baptist Church in Jonesboro. He is preceded in death by his parents Garred W. & Willa Taylor Wellman, son Garred Keith "Jerry" Wellman, brothers Claude E. Wellman (Phyllis) and William F. Wellman (Marilynn), In Laws, Lendon (Nora) Kemper, James (JoAnn) Kemper, Lendon Cecil Kemper, William Walker, Armond "Buddy" Imes and Betty Jo Kemper. He is survived by his wife, Shirley, of 56 years, his daughter, Rebecca (Jeff) Knowles. Grandchildren Stephanie (Forrest) Goodfellow and Jeffrey Scott Knowles. Great Grandchild due in November. Sister Maudine (Bill) Clemons and In-Laws Willadean (Ron) Weatherley, Janet Walker, Donald Kemper, Bonnie Imes, Peggy Kemper, Rita Wilson, Jack Kemper and Jill Whitt (Colin). Funeral Services will be held at 11 AM, Tuesday, July 3rd, 2018 in the Chapel of Ford-Stewart Funeral Home with Pastor Gene Breed officiating. Burial will follow at East Lawn Cemetery in McDonough. The family will receive friends from 10-11 AM before the service at the funeral home.

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Garred Douglas "Dick" Wellman

August 17, 1935 - June 30, 2018