H. Eugene Cline

H. Eugene Cline, age 80, of Decatur, Georgia died Monday, April 16, 2007. Mr. Cline was born in LaGrange, Georgia and served in the Army Air Corps. He is a graduate of the University Of Georgia School Of Law. Mr. Cline practiced law in Atlanta for over 50 years and was a nationally recognized authority on credit law, providing expert testimony to the United States Congress. He was a member of the Georgia State Bar and New York State Bar. Mr. Cline was the founding partner of Cline and Cornett Law Firm and subsequently became the regional counsel for the J. C. Penney Company. Mr. Cline was a deacon of the Avondale Estates First Baptist Church. He was a Royal Arch Mason of the E. A. Minor Masonic Lodge No.603, and a member of the Atlanta Commandery of the Knights Templar. Mr. Cline was an active member of the Yaarab Shrine Temple Motor Corps -Harley Davison unit. Under his leadership, they won the International Drill Team Championship in 1966. He was a member of the American Legion serving as Commander of Legion Post 159. Mr. Cline was also an avid fisherman, a licensed pilot, NRA certified shooting instructor, as well as incorporator and charter member of the Gate City Gun Club. Mr. Cline is survived by his wife of 56 years, Betty Cline, of Decatur; daughter, Nancy Cullison, her husband, David Cullison, and granddaughter, Catriona of Decatur; daughter, Marsha Cline, M.D. and her husband, Mark Smitherman, M.D. of Clearwater, Florida; son, Henry Cline, M.D., his wife Wanda Cline, grandchildren: Stephanie, Mary Margaret, Joseph, and Abigail Cline, and daughter, Sally Cline, Esq. all of Atlanta; his sister, Betty Warren of LaGrange, his brothers, Jack Cline of Grayson, and Jimmy Cline of Hope Hull, Alabama. The funeral service will be Thursday, Apri1 19, at 1:00 p.m. in the chapel of A. S. Turner & Sons. Burial services will follow at Resthaven Gardens of Memory in Decatur. Visitation will be Wednesday evening, April 18, 6 to 9 p.m. at A. S. Turner & Sons, 2773 North Decatur Road.