Robert L. August, Sr.

In every organization, there is one person whose integrity, ability and willingness to work keep him in constant demand. Bob August was that person - for his church, for his employers, for his country and for the many organizations and civic clubs which enjoyed his labors. And, with it all, he found the time to be a loving husband, father and grandfather. Robert Lee August was born in Birmingham, Alabama on July 22, 1927 to George and Lydia August, one of eight children. He passed away on Monday, April 28, 2008 at his home following complications after surgery. After playing football, basketball and track for Ensley High School he entered the United States Navy for training at Bainbridge, MD. He traveled through the Panama Canal to the South Pacific where he saw service in Guam, Japan and, aboard the USS Kankakee, traveled through the South China Sea, making port at Singapore, Ceylon, Bombay, India and Bahrain, Saudi Arabia. Returning to the U. S. his ship visited ports of call from San Diego, CA, to Anchorage, AL. before he was honorably discharged at Long Beach, CA. He and Clara Williams were married in 1952 and shortly thereafter moved to the University of Alabama where he earned a BS and MBA with a major in accounting. In 1954, he joined the Internal Revenue Service where, except for a period of employment with a national CPA firm, he remained until his retirement in 1986. He also served for several years on the Adjunct Faculty of Georgia State University teaching evening accounting classes. After retirement as a CPA, he started his own practice preparing tax returns and representing clients before the IRS. Bob always enjoyed the peacefulness of the outdoors; quail hunting in South Georgia with his two sons, deer and antelope hunting in Montana and golf with friends and neighbors. Bob and Clara enjoyed Square Dancing together. He was active in the LaVista Lions club, where he served as Secretary and President and in the Sagamore Hills Civic Association where he served as treasurer for many years. He has been a member of Oak Grove United Methodist Church since 1967 where he and Clara are members of the Seekers Class. Together, they served on several boards and ministries at the church. Bob is survived by his wife and three children; Cathy August Miller, Lee August (married to Cindy August) and John August, all of Atlanta, GA. A daughter, Linda August, preceded him in death. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Jonah and Jordan Miller of Atlanta, GA, Dailen Gunter of Lawrenceville, GA and Stephen Gunter of Westlake Village, CA and a great-granddaughter, Aurora Gunter of Sugar Hill, GA. He is also survived by a brother, Richard August; and two sisters, Kathryn Thomas and Georgiann August, all of Birmingham, AL. He is also survived by sisters-in-law Mae August of Sheffield, AL and Pat Ortega of Chattanooga, TN, and a brother-in-law, Ralph Williams of St. Louis, MO. Other survivors include nephews, Dr. Philip August, Dr. Billy August, Edward, Andy and Alan August, Larry, Max Jr., Tim and Jason Ortega, and nieces Janette August and Carol McClain. Visitation will be held at A. S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home Wednesday, April 30, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, May 1, at Oak Grove United Methodist Church, 1722 Oak Grove Rd, Decatur, with Rev. Glenn Ethridge and Dr. Gilbert Watson officiating. The family will be available to visitors at the church beginning at 2 p.m. Interment following the services will be in Floral Hills Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers a memorial donation may be made to either The American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org)or the Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation (www.lionslighthouse.org).  A. S. Turner & Sons