Charlton Strickland Veazey, Sr

Charlton Strickland Veazey, Sr., age 85, died October 5, 2011 at his home at Willow Run. Veazey was born on October 22, 1925, in Greensboro, Georgia, to the late Eli Lincoln Veazey, Sr. and Eleanor Rebecca Alford. At the age of sixteen, Charlton S. Veazey joined the United States Navy on Navy Day, October 27, 1941, before the United States entered World War II. He saw action at Adak in the Aleutians, Kiska, Makin, the Gilbert Islands, Marshall Islands, New Guinea, Philippines, Leyte and Okinawa. He served on the U.S.S. Mexico, the U.S.S. Arethusa and the U.S.S. Ajax. After the war, he returned to Greensboro High School to earn his diploma in 1949. Later, he graduated from the University of Georgia and earned two letters as head trainer for the football, basketball, and baseball teams.

Charlton began his official coaching and teaching career at LaGrange in 1953, serving as B-team coach to Oliver Hunnicutt for one year. When he moved back to Greensboro, he began his tenure at Greensboro/Greene County High School, where he coached football, baseball, track, golf, and girl''s basketball for 17 years.

Coach Veazey had winning records not only at Greene County, but also at Stephens and Wilkinson Counties. During these years he was State Vice President and State President of the Georgia High School Coaches Association in 1968 and 1969, a director of that organization from 1961 to 1979, Charter Member and Director of the National HS Coaches Association, and assistant coach for the North Squad in the All-Star Game in 1964. In addition to these, Charlton was a long-time member of the Greene County Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the Greene County Historical Society and a charter member of the Greene County Heritage Commission, Veteran''s Committee and Greene County Country Club. After retirement from coaching in 1979, he was City Manager of Greensboro from 1980-1991.

Since retiring, he was recognized by the University of Georgia Chapter of the National Football College Hall of Fame for outstanding Post-Graduate achievements and for commitment to high ideals in his community. He was a life member of VFW, Adams-Walker Post 4259 and a proud veteran. His children established the Charlton and Eugenia Veazey Scholarship for GCHS students in honor of the couple''s combined total of 44 years of dedicated service of teaching and coaching the youth of Greene County. He was named 1999 Citizen of the Year, along with Mrs. Veazey, in "Appreciation for Outstanding Contributions to the Citizens of Greene County" and for their efforts to recognize and appreciate veterans. He was a member and former deacon of First Baptist Church of Greensboro and a member of Hamp''s Sunday School class. He was a member and former director of the Athens Touchdown Club and a member of UGA''s Wally''s Boys.

Coach Veazey enjoyed traveling with Gene, his wife of 63 years, and together they made trips to the continental states, as well as Hawaii and Alaska, several trips to Europe and many to UGA football games, both home and away. They have especially enjoyed spending time with their children and their spouses, their grandchildren and friends.

Preceding Mr. Veazey in death were his parents, a granddaughter Ashlin Veazey, and two sisters, Eleanor V. Bowers and Jeane V. Christopher. He is survived by his wife, Gene Stanley Veazey, his three children, Lynn Veazey Bowers and husband Larry of Greensboro, Charlton Strickland Veazey Jr. and wife Dawn of Macon, and Jeanie Veazey Thomas and husband Frank of Hampton, as well as his grandchildren, Christopher Bowers, Beth Bowers Abbott and husband Anthony, Laurelee Veazey, Erin Thomas Echols and husband Noah, and Caroline Veazey. He also has one surviving older brother, Eli Lincoln Veazey Jr.; a brother-in-law, Bates B. Bowers Sr.; and a number of nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Charlton and Eugenia Veazey Scholarship Fund, c/o Mrs. Mary Jim Chapman, BankSouth, P.O. Box 730, Greensboro, GA 30642 or to First Baptist Church of Greensboro, 203 S. Main Street, Greensboro, GA 30642.

A Funeral Service will be held Saturday, October 8, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 203 South Main Street, Greensboro, GA 30642 with Rev. Farrett Boswell officiating and remembrances by Judy Hodnett, Mack Poss and Dennis Fordham. Interment will follow at Greensboro City Cemetery with military honors. Serving as pallbearers are: Cotton Boswell, Hale Burnett, Eric Ashley, Sonny Thurmond, Tony Rowland, Jamie Boswell, Wayne Jackson and Billy Byce. Honorary pallbearers are: Billy Ashley, Mutt Rhodes, Darrell Phelps, Bobby Durham, Joel McRay, Hamp''s Sunday School Class and Coach Veazey''s athletes and students. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday night at McCommons Funeral Home and from 1:00 p.m. until time for the service in the Fellowship Hall at First Baptist Church of Greensboro.

The Veazey family would like to say "Thank You" to the Willow Run staff for their care and support. They would also like to thank Ms. Martha Hill and Mr. Tony Rowland for their close friendships and help through the years and Coach''s recent caregivers Charlene Miller, Shelia West, Pam Lanier, Mary Williams and Rhonda Thomas. McCommons Funeral Home, 109 W. Broad St., Greensboro, GA, (706) 453-2626, is in charge of arrangements. Visit us at www.mccommonsfuneralhome.com to sign the online guest register.

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