Anthony Demarlo

Anthony DeMarlo (Born July 16, 1944, Died July 14, 2017)

Tony met the one and only love of his life, Linda Brackman, when they were in junior high school. They married shortly after finishing high school and not long ago celebrated their 50th anniversary. A star football player for Foley, Alabama High School, Tony went on to play for Georgia Tech. After a career ending knee injury, Tony transferred to and graduated from the University of Alabama, began law school there and finished at Woodrow Wilson Law School in Atlanta. Tony and Linda stayed in Atlanta where they began his law and her education careers. As a partner in the McCurdy and Candler law firm, Tony spearheaded its lender representation practice to become one of the largest in the state. He was respected by his partners and clients, was a legal and industry leader, and was loved by his many employees. Tony will be missed dearly by those who knew his intelligent and kind spirit. His daughter, Whitney, her husband, John Oeltmann, and granddaughters, Ellie and Juliet, will miss their Dad and Papa who had such a significant impact on their lives. Other surviving family members include brother and sister-in-law, Boswell and Kay Smith of Pensacola, FL.

Tony was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at the prime of his life. As Linda and Whitney wrestled with his diagnosis and its implications on all, they struggled with how to live with this disease as answers were not readily available. Being told by the physician “The condition is terminal and this will be the hardest thing you ever do in your life,” they were left with feelings of hopelessness, stranded and with nowhere to turn. In the journey that followed, they became determined that families should have access to information on how to “live” with this disease. As a result, the DeMarlo family founded the Dementia Spotlight Foundation, Inc. a 501(c)(3) entity whose goal is to provide that information. They ask that those who knew Tony and wish to honor him do so by making a donation to the foundation at www.dementiaspotlightfoundation.org.

For those reading this who did not know Tony, but who have a loved one with dementia and seek answers on how to make the most of their remaining life, please visit the website for free information and direction.

A memorial service for Tony will be held Saturday August 12, 2017 at 4:30 pm at the chapel of A.S. Turner and Sons Funeral Home. The family will receive friends 1 hour prior to the service.