David Stafford Varnedoe, Sr.

David Stafford Varnedoe, Sr., 78, of Hinesville died Monday, July 19, 2021 surrounded by his loving family.  He was under the care of his wife, children and THA Hospice.  David was born in Jesup on October 8, 1942 to the late Carl Ivey Varnedoe Sr. and Kathleen Stafford Varnedoe.  He was a 1960 graduate of Bradwell Institute, playing first-chair trumpet and moonlighting with a local jazz ensemble.

Following high school, David pursued his dream by working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Washington, D.C.  After a brutally cold winter and too much distance from the love of his life, Mary, David returned home and enrolled at Georgia Southern College, now Georgia Southern University, and earned a bachelor’s degree in Biology.  Upon graduation, David accepted a teaching position in Richmond Hill teaching high school science.  Despite his love for his students and the subject, opportunity came knocking and David accepted a position with The Hinesville Bank, from which he retired after 32 years of dedicated service as Vice President of Regulatory Compliance.  During his career, David’s focus was always on helping others and lent his talents in service to the Hinesville Planning and Zoning Commission for the better part of three decades during which time he also served as treasurer and custodian of records for the Midway Church & Society. 

In his spare time, when not supporting his children at countless sporting events and horseshows, David enjoyed spending time photographing nature, especially birds at Youman’s Pond.  He had a “green thumb” and loved gardening and yard work.  You could often find David listening to his police scanners, keeping rhythm with Barry White or wetting a line from the dock at “the coast”.  David had tremendous knowledge of many things and freely shared that knowledge with his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews whom he helped with numerous science fair projects and insect collections.  Of all his gifts and talents, he treasured his family the most. 

David is survived by his devoted wife of 54 years, Mary Carter Varnedoe; his children, Hazel Varnedoe Margelli (Dan), David Stafford Varnedoe, Jr. (Elizabeth) and Carl Robert Varnedoe (Christina);  his grandchildren, Jack, Eliza, and Jenna Margelli, Mary Mobley and Stafford Varnedoe, Carter and Charlton Varnedoe, and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

David’s family would like to express sincere appreciation to the staff of THA Group Island Hospice for their excellent care and loving kindness.

Visitation will be from 1:00 - 2:00 P.M., on Friday, July 23, 2021, at Hinesville First United Methodist Church with the funeral service beginning at 2:00 P.M.  Burial will follow in Oglethorpe Memorial Park.  Active pallbearers will be Pat Edwards, Bob Edwards, Durand Standard, Jamie Cooke, Ronald Ray, Sanford Carter, Jr., and Craig Stafford. Honorary pallbearers are the present and former members of the Midway Church & Society Board of Selectmen and New Ground Hunting Club. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to Midway Church & Society, P.O. Box 202, Midway, Georgia 31320.  

Carter Funeral Home Oglethorpe Chapel is in charge of arrangements. To share a memory or leave a condolence, please visit www.carteroglethorpe.com.