George McDuffie Ingram of Decatur, Georgia, passed away on June 20, 2010. He is survived by his wife, Doris Maddox Ingram; son George Emory Ingram and his wife, Dorothy, of Atlanta; son Dr. Charles Emerson Ingram of Moosic, Pennsylvania; step-daughter Shirley Alexander and her husband, William, of Mineral Bluff; step-daughter Judy Snow and her husband, Thomas, of Mineral Bluff; and numerous nieces, nephews, and step-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Mae Hayes Ingram; son John Everett Ingram of Decatur; and daughter-in-law Sharon Szymanski Ingram of Moosic. He was born in Lumpkin County, Georgia, on March 24, 1919. His family moved to Marietta, and he graduated from Marietta High School in 1935. He attended North Georgia College. During the Depression he held various jobs, including selling Bibles in Arkansas, to help support his parents. His career in surveying and civil engineering began when he accepted a position with the North Carolina Highway Department. During World War II he served with the U. S. Navy Seabees in the Pacific and built runways in various locations, including Guadalcanal, Guam, and Okinawa. After the war he resumed his career with the North Carolina Highway Department. In 1948 he accepted a position as a field engineer with Patterson and Dewar Engineers of Decatur, Georgia. He became the head of the Civil Engineering/Land Surveying Department and later served as the company President and CEO from 1973 to 1984. He retired from the company in 1988. Though he was a superb engineer and businessman, George Ingram’s highest calling was to be a layman in the service of Jesus Christ. He and his family joined Scott Boulevard Baptist Church in Decatur in 1950, shortly after its founding. During the next 60 years he served continuously as a Sunday school teacher up until a month before his death. He frequently served as a deacon and was also the Chairman of the Deacons on many occasions. He served on many Pulpit Committees and served the church in countless other ways. In addition, he was active in support of the work of the Atlanta Baptist Association and Georgia Baptist Convention, even writing several articles for the Convention’s publication, The Christian Index. His knowledge of the Bible was widely recognized. For a number of years he took part in courses designed for ministers at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. Later he became instrumental in the establishment of the McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University’s Atlanta campus. In addition, he often worked behind the scenes to assist and encourage young ministers, often helping them establish their professional libraries. He was also a member of the Decatur Rotary Club for many years, often serving as the club’s chaplain. Funeral services will be held at 10 A. M. on June 25 at Scott Boulevard Baptist Church, 2532 North Decatur Road, Decatur, Georgia 30033 with burial at Floral Hills Memory Gardens in Tucker. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Scott Boulevard Baptist Church or McAfee School of Theology. Visitation will be on June 24. 6-8 P.M at A. S. Turner & Sons in Decatur.
