Albert Franklin Garner, Jr.

Albert Franklin Garner, Jr, 80, of Decatur, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and Past Grand Master of Masons in Georgia, passed away surrounded by his daughters Sunday January 28, 2018. Born April 27, 1937 in Roanoke Rapids, NC, he was the son of the late Albert Franklin Garner, Sr. and Irene Oliver.

Albert is survived by three daughters, Julie Moore and her husband, Joe Friou, Lori Morson and her life partner, Malcolm Smith, and Alison Young; grandchildren, Jacqueline Rogers and her husband, Matt, Joshua Moore, Jennifer Jones, and Jessica Gates and her husband, Nate; great grandchildren, Logan Rogers, Ethan Rogers, Kayla Pritchard-Cravens and her life partner, Cody Stafford, Joey Cravens, Alyssa Jones, Jax Bodiford, Nathan Gates, Jadyn Gates and Trenton Burnett; great-great grandchildren, Kaiden Stanley and Madilyn Stafford; step brother, James Oliver and his wife, Janice; sister-in-law, Peggy Pappas and her husband, George; nephew, Jeff Burns and his wife, Mallory, and their daughter, Maggie Ann Burns; niece-in-law, Stephanie Burns and her children, Samantha and Jacob Burns; and many more loving family and friends.

In addition to his parents, Albert was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Gay Lynn Smith Garner; son-in-law, Keith Young; and nephew, John Burns.

He was educated in the public schools of Roanoke Rapids and in those of Whaleyville, Virginia. He furthered his education at Edwards Military Institute and Wake Forest University, graduating with a degree in history with minors in political science and Spanish. While at Wake Forest University, Albert met the love of his life, Gay Smith. Together they supported each other in service and family for 53 years. They shared a love of music and enjoyed traveling and spending time at Hilton Head.

He spent his career in the broadcasting and entertainment fields. Starting as a radio announcer, he worked as a "D-J", news and sports announcer in Gainesville, Florida. Among other things, he announced the play-by-play for the Washington Senators in the summer "Grapefruit League" and later college sports in Baltimore and Houston. For fourteen years, he managed a major music entertainer in concerts throughout the United States and Europe. He found time in this schedule to start and manage radio stations for this entertainer in Baltimore (Maryland), Houston (Texas) and Augusta (Georgia). In 1981, Al accepted a job with WCNN in Atlanta, and after eight years accepted his final position as General Sales Manager for Joseph Broadcasting.

Al was appointed by Leonard E. Buffington, 33 Sovereign Grand Inspector General for Georgia as his Personal Representative for the Scottish Rite Valley of Atlanta in 2003. He served until 2017, 14 years. He served on Scottish Rite child care committee from 1990 to 1993.

The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Friday, February 2, at A.S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home. Services will follow the visitation at 1 p.m. in the Chapel of A.S. Turners with a Masonic Service to follow at Melwood Cemetery.

The family will accept flowers, however if you would like to make a donation please make it out to benefit RiteCare with checks payable to: Scottish Rite Foundation of Georgia, Scottish Rite Attn. Foundation, 1690 Peachtree Street, NW Atlanta, GA 30309.

Feel free to leave the family your condolences via the guestbook provided.