David J. Allbritton

David J. Allbritton, 88, of Tallahassee, passed away on July 27, 2017 at Margaret Z. Dozier House at Big Bend Hospice. David has been a true Christian and a man of God who showed many of us how to live our lives in God’s image. At the time of his death, he was a member of Victory Assembly of God and formerly a member of Oak City Assembly of God. David was an avid servant to God, his church, and his community. His loyalties were to his faith as a dedicated life-long Christian, his wife, the love of his life who he fell in love with as a young teenager, his children, grandchildren, and great grandchild, and finally, his career. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse and Fannie Allbritton, and his younger brothers Wallace, Emerson, and Richard. Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Edith; his 4 children Gale, Scott(Sherry), Danny(Angie), Linda(Charlie); his 7 grandchildren Fred Hadley III, Adrienne Pennington(Michael), Lyle Allbritton, Austin Day, Joel Allbritton(Averi), Brett Allbritton, Hannah Allbritton, and 1 great grandchild Jace Pennington. David enlisted in the Army Air Corp (U.S. Air Force) immediately upon graduating from Leon High School in 1948. During his seven-year military career, he completed a one-year tour in Korea and Japan performing maintenance on aircraft communications systems. He was honorably discharged as a Technical Sergeant in 1955. He returned to Tallahassee after his military service and was immediately offered a position with Southeastern Telephone Company where he used his FCC license to expand local communications systems. Some of the highlights of his career include the advancement of communications through microwave antenna systems in the late 50s and early 60s, designing and engineering the microwave tower on Calhoun Street, overseeing the first live television broadcast out of Tallahassee for a gubernatorial inauguration and ball in the mid-60s, and contributing to a prototype of mobile car phones in the late 60s and early 70s. Over his 38-year career with the telephone company, he held numerous positions of responsibility, developed a training center, and served as Human Resources Director at Centel (later Sprint) overseeing over 1600 employees, proudly knowing each one and several of their family members by name. Our father was the greatest example to each of us. He always encouraged us to live our lives with integrity and to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. On Monday July 31st, we are honoring his life with a service at Bevis Funeral Home at 2710 N Monroe Street with a visitation at 11:00 AM followed by a service at 12:00 PM. Interment will follow at 2:00 PM at the Tallahassee National Cemetery, 5015 Apalachee Parkway. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor David’s life by making a donation to Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32308 or to a missionary of your faith. Kelly Barber of Bevis Funeral Home in Tallahassee (850/385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the Allbritton family with their arrangements.

Tributes

David J. Allbritton

February 26, 1929 - July 27, 2017